Women’s Soccer Settles for a Draw Against Dayton

Loyola women’s soccer battled the University of Dayton to a scoreless draw Sept. 27 at Hoyne Field. The result moved the Ramblers to 4-2-5 overall and 1-0-2 in Atlantic 10 play.

The Ramblers came out the gate with offensive pressure, nearly finding an early advantage. In the fourth minute, fifth-year defender Emily Roberts found the ball on a break and directed a shot to the bottom right corner, which was saved by Dayton fourth-year goalkeeper Kasey Cannistraro.

Dayton responded through possession in the midfield, generating their first opportunity in the 22nd minute when Flyers first-year forward Reese Gallagher sent a shot wide on the left.

Loyola regained momentum later in the opening half when fourth-year midfielder Ansley Cryan recorded a shot in the 31st minute that was blocked by Flyers defense. Shortly after in the 35th minute, fourth-year forward Emily Rossi sent an attempt over the woodwork.

The pressure shifted in the 36th minute when Gallagher was issued a red card due to a cleats up foul, forcing Dayton to play the remainder of the match with 10 players. The Flyers bench was also issued a team yellow card following the play.

Despite being down a player, Dayton generated the final two opportunities of the first half. In the 40th minute, Flyers third-year forward Laney Smith sent a shot that was blocked by fourth-year goalkeeper Allison Deardorff. Dayton third-year midfielder Liv Grenda found the rebound and sent a shot that fell wide on the right.

The Ramblers came out of halftime looking to capitalize on the player advantage. First-year midfielder Addison Schaffer and fifth-year forward Mia Lanni each recorded shots that both fell off target in the 47th minute. Loyola carried the offensive pressure, earning two corner kicks in the 49th minute.

The Ramblers continued to control the attacking opportunities, earning three more corners over the next 13 minutes. None resulted in a goal, allowing the Flyers to remain level.

Dayton found an opportunity of its own in the 61st minute when fourth-year defender Eva Schreiber sent a shot wide on the right. Grenda followed with an attempt over the goal in the 71st minute.

The Flyers came closer three minutes later when Dayton third-year midfielder Lauryn Contini directed a shot toward the bottom left corner, but Deardorff made the save to preserve the scoreless tie in the 74th minute.

Loyola responded with its strongest stretch of chances late in the match. Lanni sent an attempt toward the bottom center in the 79th minute, forcing Cannistraro to make her second save of the match.

Fourth-year midfielder Maggie Schmidt followed with a shot wide-left, and fourth-year forward Zoe Hevey rebounded the attempt toward the bottom left corner in the 81st minute. Cannistraro made another save to keep the Ramblers off the board.

Dayton created a pair of dangerous opportunities with less than two minutes remaining. Grenda and fourth-year forward Olivia Baca each directed shots toward the bottom left corner, but Deardorff stopped both attempts in the 89th minute.

The Ramblers received one final opportunity in the 90th minute and Hevey sent a shot toward the top left corner, but Cannistraro made the save to secure the draw. 

With Loyola competing a player up for the majority of the match, Head Coach Jon Sandoval said the team failed to capitalize off its advantage in the attacking third.

“Tough result to tie after being up a player for 60 minutes,” Sandoval said. “We were just missing a connection in the attacking third. Credit to Dayton for going down a player and still getting a point.”

The Ramblers will head on the road to continue conference play, facing the University of Rhode Island Oct. 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.