Sept. 28, 2008
Box Score
CHICAGO - Loyola's men's soccer team erupted for five goals and three assists, as the Ramblers shutout Cleveland State, 5-0 (1-6-2, 0-2 HL) at Loyola Soccer Park Sunday afternoon.
Loyola (5-2-1, 1-1 HL) jumped on the board in the 21st minute when senior Reed Cataldo found junior Eric Gehrig on the far left side of the goal. Gehrig blasted a shot that found the back of the net for his first goal of the match. He would strike again 20 minutes later, as junior Mark Halma crossed to the middle setting up an open shot for Gehrig, who fired it past goalkeeper Nick Harpel to put the Ramblers up 2-0.
Loyola scored once more before the break, when sophomore Josh Westberg found freshman Scott Waggoner, who knocked in a header from the middle of the goal. The Ramblers held a 9-3 shot advantage in the first half and for the second consecutive game, outshot their opponent 20-7 for the match.
"I was really happy to see quite a few players get in and play with the same level of consistency," said Loyola head coach Brendan Eitz. "It was a well-balanced attack."
Senior Keum Sung Kim added to the lead after the break, scoring off a free kick in the 57th minute of play to record his third goal of the season. Not long after,Waggoner also picked up his third goal of the season and second of the game to extend the lead to five.
The Vikings produced four shots in the second half, but could not get anything past senior goalkeeper Brad Sommer, who saw action for the first time since 2006. He recorded six saves in 90 minutes for the Ramblers.
Gehrig led the offensive effort with five shots and is now tied with Kim and Waggoner for the team lead in goals, with three apiece. Halma recorded four shots, in addition to his first assist of the season. Cataldo and Westberg also recorded their first assists of the year.
The Ramblers had not scored five goals in a match since 2001, when they defeated Detroit, 5-2.
"This win was a good response off an unfortunate result Friday night (lost to Detroit 2-1), and I liked the energy level we had and the efficiency in finishing shots," said Eitz. "We were up 2-0, but still created two scoring opportunities in the last 20 seconds of the first half, which was a good indication of the fight and personality the team possesses."
Loyola continues Horizon League play Oct. 3 at Wright State beginning at 6 p.m.
