Final Stats

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - A goal by Kevin Schaefer with only seven minutes remaining in the second half proved to be the game-winner as Evansville defeated the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team this evening, 2-1, at Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville, Ind. The result sees the Purple Aces improve to 6-9-1 overall (4-1-0 Missouri Valley), while the Ramblers slip to 6-5-5 (1-2-2 Missouri Valley).

"Tonight we didn't execute well enough in the final third of the field to win a Division One soccer game," Loyola head men's soccer coach Neil Jones commented. "Of the 14 shots we took, we only made their goalkeeper make one save. That isn't good enough to win you games at this level. Defensively we had two lapses that, to their credit, they capitalized on. We now have to regroup and focus on closing out the regular season well next week at home versus SIUE."

Following an emotional Senior Day ceremony for the hosts, Loyola came out attacking. Brian Bement had his shot blocked in the fourth minute, seconds before Ben Crognale notched the first shot on target of the night when his attempt was saved by Eric Teppen, the Evansville goalkeeper. Following a save from Loyola netminder Tim Dobrowolski, the Ramblers were right back in the Purple Aces' third. Andrew Raymonds' headed attempt floated just wide of the post in the 12th minute before Brian Bement skied his attempt over the crossbar.

Patrick Hodges came close to putting Evansville on top in the 22nd minute but pulled his attempt wide of goal. Brody Kraussel's bid for a late goal before halftime soared high as the two teams headed into their respective locker rooms scoreless. Loyola held a 6-4 advantage in shots in the opening stanza, while each goalkeeper made one save.

Mark Gonzalez had the first chance of the second half fall to his feet and didn't let it go to waste, slotting a shot home from the top of the 18-yard box to put Evansville in front, 1-0, in the 50th minute. The Maroon & Gold looked to amp up the pressure following the goal, generating a pair of corners kicks from Kyle Thomson. John Cappuccitti misfired off each corner as the Ramblers remained scoreless. Dobrowolski kept the deficit at one when he made his third and final save of the night, denying Ian McGrath in the 76th minute.

A Purple Aces' foul inside the box in the 81st minute provided Loyola with a golden opportunity to level the game from the penalty spot. Kyle Thomson stepped up and calmly slotted his shot past Teppen to make it 1-1. The stalemate was short-lived however as Schaefer found the back of the net with a header two minutes later to put Evansville back in front, 2-1. Loyola generated a pair of corners inside the final five minutes but couldn't put another shot on target as the Purple Aces claimed all three points in the conference table.

Loyola wraps up its 2014 regular season schedule next Saturday night (Nov. 8) when it hosts SIU-Edwardsville. The Ramblers will honor their graduating seniors in a special pregame ceremony prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff.