Box Score (PDF)
In Short…
Younes Dayekh broke a scoreless stalemate with 10 minutes remaining in regulation as Bradley dealt the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team a 1-0 defeat this evening at Shea Stadium in Peoria, Ill. The Braves improve to 4-3-0 (1-0-0 MVC) with the win, while the Ramblers fall to 3-3-0 (0-2-0 MVC).
How It Happened
Loyola came out and took control of the possession battle early on a mild night in Central Illinois. Senior
Elliot Collier notched the first attempt of the evening for either side in the 11
th minute, sending his shot from 20 yards rolling narrowly wide of the near post. The Maroon & Gold continued to apply pressure, generating multiple corner kicks, but were unable to test Bradley goalkeeper Brandon Barnes.
Freshman netminder
Aidan Aylward was called into action for the first time in the 22
nd minute and did not disappoint, making a point-blank save on Roman Schindler's try from the edge of the six-yard box. Loyola would come up with a pair of blocks in support of its goalkeeper before the halftime whistle as the two in-state rivals headed to the intermission deadlocked at 0-0.
An impressive move along the goal line from Collier five minutes into the second half helped present a good look from junior
Fabian Lifka, who sent his left-footed attempt wide of goal. The hosts generated a pair of tries in rapid succession in the 68
th minute when Alec Ciaramitaro and Gerit Wintermeyer both misfired.
Loyola continued to pressure Barnes in goal as time ticked down, with Lifka and junior
Tucker Stephenson each forcing stops out of the Bradley netminder. Dayekh delivered the deciding strike in the dying seconds of the 79
th minute as he unleashed a screaming blast from the edge of the 18-yard box that found its way past a diving Aylward and into the back of the net to ultimately give the Braves a 1-0 win.
Looking At The Numbers
- Both teams finished the night even in shots with 11 attempts apiece.
- Lifka and junior
Alec Lasinski each registered a team-high three tries to lead the Loyola attack.
- Dayekh paced the Bradley offense with a game-best five attempts, while Barnes recorded a pair of stops to earn the clean sheet in goal.
Up Next
Loyola stays on the road this weekend as it takes on Wisconsin in a 7 p.m. kickoff on Saturday night from the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison, Wis.
