Oct. 31, 2012

Final Stats | Box Score

CHICAGO - The Ramblers worked hard to hold off a charging Braves' offense throughout most of their match on Wednesday night as one goal separated the teams after Bradley scored in the 18th minute. Loyola University Chicago looked to create chances up top, but two additional goals with 10 minutes remaining left the Ramblers down 3-0 at the end of regulation.

"It was 1-0 for most of the match," said head coach Brendan Eitz. "The game changed in our favor when we started to pressure and create more opportunities up top. With ten minutes left we had a few good chances but they came back on the counter-attack and scored again."

Freshman Richard Lenke opened the match for Loyola 20 seconds into the game, taking a quick shot from outside the box, sending the ball high of the crossbar. The shot gave the Ramblers momentum up top as the team held possession in the first 15 minutes of play.

A corner kick by junior Max Van Houten in the 17th minute set up sophomore Andrew Raymonds for a shot as Raymonds placed a header just wide of the right post. Bradley immediately began the counter-attack allowing Desmond Campbell to score in the 18th minute on a low effort to the back of the net.

The Braves continued to pressure the Ramblers until the intermission as freshman Tim Dobrowolski made four saves to keep Loyola in the game. Bradley went into the break with the 1-0 lead.

At the return of play both teams fought to take control of the match, relying on strong defensive play to deter the attack. Loyola had several set-piece opportunities late in the game as junior Enrique Garcia took back-to-back corner kicks in the 68th minute. Senior Sean Dotson was on the receiving end of the second corner kick, placing a header towards the net and into the hands of Bradley goalkeeper Shay Niemeyer.

Bradley was on the counter-attack in the 86th minute, heading into Rambler territory as Alexei Davies-Campbell extended the Braves' lead, 2-0. Three minutes later it was Jochen Graf with the final goal of the night, giving Bradley the 3-0 win.

The Ramblers return to conference play on Saturday, Nov. 3 when Loyola hosts Wright State at 7 p.m. The match will conclude the regular-season as the Ramblers are guaranteed a spot in the Horizon League Tournament with a win against the Raiders.