Oct. 25, 2014
Final Stats
CONWAY, Ark. - Kyle Thomson converted from the penalty spot with just over a minute remaining in regulation to secure the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team a 1-1 double-overtime draw against Central Arkansas this afternoon in Conway, Ark. The result sees the Ramblers, now at 5-4-5 (1-1-2 Missouri Valley), clinch a berth in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in November.
Following an emotional Senior Day celebration prior to kickoff, the hosts jumped on top inside six minutes when Logan Miller slotted a shot from the left side of the box home from eight yards out to make it 1-0 for Central Arkansas. Elliot Collier, fresh off scoring the game-winner for the Maroon & Gold earlier in the week against UIC, looked to draw Loyola level seconds later, but sailed his shot over the crossbar.
Loyola goalkeeper Tim Dobrowolski made his first of two saves in the opening stanza when he denied Miller's bid for a brace in the 36th minute. Jake Savino came close to netting an equalizer just over three minutes before halftime. The junior out of Schaumburg, Ill. forced two fine saves out of Harrison Veith, the Central Arkansas netminder, in rapid succession at his near post. Savino's attempts would be Loyola's final chances of the half as the Ramblers headed into the break in a 1-0 hole.
Ben Crognale got the action started for Loyola in the second half when he had his shot turned away by Veith in the 49th minute. Eric Schoendorf suffered the same fate three minutes later when Veith corralled his headed attempt. With the Ramblers heaping on the pressure to open the half, Central Arkansas looked to take advantage on a counter attack in the 64th minute but Dobrowolski stood tall in goal, stopping Andre De Giorgi's attempt to keep Loyola within striking distance. The junior out of Rockford, Ill. stymied another counter attack from the Bears in the 76th minute when he cleared Manuel Montal's chance off the line.
Things took a turn for the worse in the 83rd minute for the Ramblers when Daniel Hare was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge, bringing Loyola down to ten men for the remainder of the game. Despite being at a disadvantage, the Ramblers continued to push and were rewarded with only 66 seconds remaining when John Cappuccitti was taken down by Veith inside the 18-yard box. The referee wasted no time in awarding the penalty, giving Loyola a golden opportunity to tie the game. Thomson, a freshman out of Park Ridge, Ill., stepped up and ripped his attempt past a diving Veith to bring Loyola level and force overtime.
Both teams had chances to find a winner during the two extra sessions. Dobrowolski made a pair of huge saves in the 92nd minute when he away shots from Pepe San Roman and Carson. Brian Bement, who notched his first goal of the season earlier in the week, came dangerously close to winning it for the Ramblers when his headed attempt from 10 yards out rung off the crossbar. Carson thought he had won it for the hosts in the 94th minute when he curled his shot into the back of the Rambler net, only for it to be called back due the offside flag being up. That would be the final time that either side was able to put an attempt on net for the remainder of the extra sessions as the two teams settled for a 1-1 draw.
Loyola wraps up non-conference play by hosting the Northwestern Wildcats on Wednesday evening. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from Loyola Soccer Park.
