Oct. 14, 2012

Final Stats | Box Scor e

CHICAGO - The Ramblers put on a dominating performance Sunday afternoon, outplaying Youngstown State to earn a 2-0 win against the Penguins. It was a team effort for Loyola University Chicago as the backline and sophomore goalkeeper Monica Gonyo earned their sixth shutout of the season while the offense continuously challenged the Penguins, taking a 12-5 shot advantage at the end of regulation.

"We did a good job producing plays up top," said head coach Barry Bimbi. "We were solid in the back again and I thought the backline and Monica were in complete control of the game."

Junior Tricia Stonebraker started the Ramblers off with a shot on goal in the seventh minute as Youngstown State goalkeeper Jackie Podolsky made the save. Loyola picked up the pace 20 minutes into the game, encroaching on the Penguins defense as freshman Mariah Vichich played a ball out of the back. Sophomore Moriah Schwarz was there to continue the play up top, challenging the ball and shooting from 20 yards out to beat the goalkeeper with a low shot to the back of the net in the 25th minute. The goal gave the Ramblers a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

At the return of play, Loyola resumed control of the game, taking possession of the ball and notching nine shots in the second half. Senior Ana Claudia Michelini posted back-to-back shots in the 55th minute as junior Tricia Stonebraker followed up with a shot just high of the crossbar.

It was Schwarz again with the second goal of the day in the 73rd minute as the sophomore midfielder powered a shot from 16 yards out, slipping past Podolsky. Vichich and freshman Brielle Haupt recorded the assist and with Loyola leading 2-0, the Rambler defense locked down, earning its sixth shutout of the season.

"We're a team that has been playing really good soccer, but it's the goals that have been harder to come by this season," said Coach Bimbi. "Moriah is figuring out her role on the team and hitting it late in the year, which is fantastic for us. Having a player that's hitting form going into the last few games and heading into the conference tournament is huge."

Loyola improves to 2-2-1 in conference play, and is now tied for third in the Horizon League standings with Valparaiso. The Ramblers have a big game on Wednesday, Oct. 17, as they travel to Valparaiso, Ind., to take on the Crusaders in a conference showdown with kickoff moved to 3 p.m.