Oct. 27, 2012

Final Stats | Box Score

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago men's soccer fell to Detroit, 2-1, on Saturday after a penalty kick by James Howe put the Ramblers on the board in the 68th minute.

"We were down 1-0 at the half, but things started to even out in the second half as we began to step up offensively," said head coach Brendan Eitz. "Ryan Howe and Jake Savino really pressed the Titans and we started to look a lot better, we just couldn't finish the opportunities that were created."

It was a defensive battle at the start of the game as both teams worked to find an offensive edge in the first half. Detroit recorded the first shot in the 20th minute, challenging Loyola's backline. A free kick in the 26th minute set the Titans up for their first goal as Adam Bedell placed a header in the top right corner of the net to give Detroit a 1-0 lead.

Loyola responded as junior James Howe took a shot, providing the Rambler offense with some spark. Freshman Ryan Howe and junior Reed Patterson notched shots of their own before the half, closing in on the Titan's 4-3 shot advantage.

At the return of play, sophomore Andrew Raymonds opened the second half with a hard shot on goal in the 48th minute as a Titan's defender came in for the block. Loyola worked hard to finish up top with the set-piece opportunities that were created as the Ramblers earned four corner kicks after the break.

Detroit responded to the pressure posed by the Ramblers as Patrick Soltys powered a ball across the face of the goal and into the net to extend the Titan's lead, 2-0, in the 61st minute.

With the Titans looking to have control over the game, Ryan Howe took possession of the ball, dribbling through Detroit's backline and earning a penalty kick in the 68th minute. James Howe took the kick, putting the Ramblers on the board, 2-1.

The loss brings Loyola to a 1-3-2 Horizon League record. The team takes a break from conference play on Wednesday, Oct. 31, when the Ramblers host Bradley at 7 p.m. CDT.