Nov. 3, 2013
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CHICAGO - The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team defeated Central Arkansas, 2-0, this afternoon at Loyola Soccer Park. With the win, the Ramblers guarantee themselves a spot in the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in Peoria, Ill., November 13-17.
"It means a lot to secure a spot in the postseason, especially to the seniors" commented Loyola head men's soccer coach Neil Jones. "I thought they all put in a great shift on senior day. The best part about this is that it keeps this book of Loyola Ramblers men's soccer going for a few more chapters. It's even more meaningful to clinch the spot in front of our home crowd and get a shutout."
Following an emotional senior day ceremony prior to kickoff, the home side struggled to find its rhythm in the opening quarter hour of play. Sophomore Lee Grander notched a pair of shots on goal in the opening ten minutes, including one that forced Patxi Shortsleeve to make a fine save at his near post. It turned out to only be a matter of time for the Naperville, Ill. product as Grander put a ball into the back of the net following a free kick by sophomore Ryan Howe and a flick over from senior Reed Patterson in the 27th minute.
The Rambler backline settled in as the half wore on, limiting the chances for the visiting Bears. Central Arkansas' best chance of the half came when Taylor Hart had an uncontested look at the Loyola goal but headed well high of net. Loyola would've notched a second goal if not for the post stopping sophomore Jake Savino's rocket from 16-yards out. Sophomore goalkeeper Tim Dobrowolski was called upon to make only one save in the opening 45 minutes as Loyola took a lead to the halftime locker room for only the third time this season.
With their postseason fate hanging in the balance, the Bears amped up the pressure following the halftime break. Dobrowolski was forced into a pair of saves in the first twenty minutes of the half. The Ramblers answered the pressure and continued pushing forward. They were rewarded in the 67th minute when junior Brian Bement headed home his team-leading seventh goal of the season at the near post off of a corner kick by senior Eric Nock. The two sides played a physical final half-hour that featured a handful of cautions but the Loyola defense stood tall, locking down its fifth shutout of the season as the Ramblers clinched their spot in the postseason.
Loyola will close out the regular season when they host Incarnate Word in a non-conference matchup on Thursday, November 7, at 7 p.m. in Rogers Park before learning its seeding for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
