Nine Man Loyola Falls To George Mason

Loyola men’s soccer was beaten by George Mason University in a 4-0 shutout, with two red cards forcing Loyola to go down to nine men.

The Ramblers had an early chance in the second minute when a ball over the top was met by second-year forward Chimnosoh Okeke, whose close range volley was pushed over the bar by Patriots second-year goalkeeper Angel Hernandez before the offsides flag was raised.

George Mason third-year forward Martim Serero’s shot in the fourth minute was deflected wide to the left of the net, and the resulting corner was headed over the bar.

In the eighth minute, third-year midfielder and forward Benji Chavarria drove a low shot from the top of the 18 yard box, but it drifted wide and right of goal.

George Mason almost struck in the ninth minute, when a header from third-year defender Riccardo Beretta rattled the crossbar before being cleared. A followup shot was grabbed by third-year goalkeeper Maxwell Ionita.

Patriots fourth-year midfielder Javier Montava had a go at the goal in the 11th minute, but his shot sailed above the bar. A driven shot from George Mason second-year red-shirt forward Gabin Thomelier in the 14th minute was saved by Ionita at the bottom right corner of goal, conceding a corner.

In the 24th minute, George Mason fifth-year midfielder Matias de Jesus sent a shot flying past the upper right corner of the net, going out for a six kick.

After a review in the 27th minute, George Mason was awarded a penalty for a handball in the box. Montava’s first kick was saved, but he had taken his penalty before the whistle was blown, so the kick was retaken. 

On the second attempt, Ionita saved the shot, but the rebound bounced back out to Montava, who buried his third chance. In the ensuing protests, Chavarria was shown a straight red card and ejected from the game. A member of the Loyola bench was also cautioned in the chaos.

Montava’s shot in the 28th minute was blocked and in the same minute, a cross into the Loyola box was deflected into the goal by a defender for George Mason’s second of the night.

Loyola third-year midfielder Luka Ivancic took a shot from a freekick in the 30th minute which was blocked by the wall — the rebound shot was also blocked and cleared. A minute later, Sereno’s shot down the other end was placed over the crossbar and out.

Three corners in quick succession yielded nothing for the Ramblers. A George Mason shot from Thomelier in the 39th minute rolled right into Ionita’s arms. Patriots first-year forward Amanueil Mequanint also had a go from a tight angle, but Ionita saved again. His second attempt was blocked on the line by first-year defender Lucas Webb’s arm. Webb was showed a straight red card and a penalty was given, leaving the Ramblers with nine men. Sereno and Ionita were both given yellows.

Sereno sent Ionita the wrong way and converted the penalty to bring the Patriots’ lead to three.

Rambler fourth-year midfielder Jack McFeely shot after a corner in the 42nd, but it was blocked. De Jesus’ shot in the 45th was deflected out of bounds. Patriots first-year midfielder John Balkey tried from the corner but his shot flew wide to the left as the first half ended with the Patriots in the lead 3-0.

Montava’s shot in the 50th minute was deflected over the bar. Six minutes later a ball was played in front of goal but Thomelier sent it flying over the woodwork. Balkey had a go in the 64th and his shot was deflected, leading it into the arms of first-year goalkeeper Ori Yedlin.

Valley’s header drifted into the hands of Yedlin and Mequanint shanked a shot past the right of goal in the 68th minute.

In the 76th minute, George Mason’s second-year defender Cristian Ramos took a long range shot, Yedlin’s initial save was spilled and finished by fourth-year forward Kelly Janssen to finish the scoring for the night.

Montava’s shot after the restart hit Yedlin right in the chest for a save. Patriots second-year forward Matthew Dean tried a shot from far out, making Yedlin stretch out, but it flew wide right.

McFeely took a whack from far out, but it was caught by Hernandez. Patriots fourth-year defender David Garcia was given a yellow in the 81st minute for delaying the restart of a throw-in. 

Second-year defender and midfielder Chase Herbal was also shown a yellow for an aggressive tackle.

The Patriots registered four more shots in the final seven minutes, with one on target, while Loyola got an attempt through a header from first-year midfielder Mateusz Drazek, but George Mason fourth-year goalkeeper Fernando Carreon Garcia made a leaping save to keep it out.

The Ramblers next see action against St. Bonaventure University at home, Oct. 17, with kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m. Streaming is available on ESPN+.