Nov. 11, 2012
Final Stats | Box Score 
DETROIT, Mich. - Loyola University Chicago men's soccer ended its 2012 Horizon League Tournament run on Sunday afternoon, falling to Cleveland State, 2-0, after a hard-fought match. Following the game, Nick Sanchez, Ryan Howe and Kyle Spoo were all named to the Horizon League All-Tournament Team after collectively scoring three goals and notching two assists in the tournament.
"I'm very proud of the team and the effort the players put forth this season," said head coach Brendan Eitz. "It's obviously not the result we wanted, but we've overcome a lot. The seniors will be able to reflect on a very rewarding experience in their careers at Loyola, it just so happens now that it stings a little."
Loyola was immediately challenged by the Viking's offense as the Ramblers fought for possession of the ball. The backline answered to heavy pressure by Cleveland State, regaining control of the ball to move it up the pitch. Juniors Kyle Spoo and Reed Patterson directed the Ramblers forward, blocking the Vikings from key shots in the first 30 minutes of the match.
Junior Max Van Houten took the first shot for Loyola in the 39th minute, powering a long ball into the hands of Cleveland State goalkeeper Brad Stuver. A minute later, it was sophomore Brian Bement with a header between the posts as Stuver made another save.
With a defensive battle throughout the first half, the teams would head into the intermission, knotted at zero. Senior goalkeeper Peter McKeown recorded one save while the Vikings took a 6-3 shot advantage.
At the start of the second half, Cleveland State immediately took control of play, taking the lead in the 50th minute with a goal by Cazz Warren. Loyola worked to generate offensive sequences up top as Patterson connected with a long throw-in by Howe, placing a header into the hands of Stuver in the 75th minute.
On the counter-attack, Cleveland State extended its lead with Aaron Adkins powering a shot into the back of the net in the 83rd minute. McKeown held the Vikings to a 2-0 game, making a sliding save after a one-on-one challenge by Adkins with three minutes left in the match.
The Ramblers end the season with a 5-12-2 overall record, making their sixth Horizon League Tournament appearance in seven years. Freshman Jake Savino led Loyola with five goals, earning Horizon League Newcomer accolades as Spoo, Howe, and Sanchez concluded the season for the Ramblers being named to the Horizon League All-Tournament Team.
