Box Score (PDF)
In Short…
Pepe San Roman's goal in the 108
th minute of play proved to be the difference as visiting Central Arkansas handed the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team a 3-2 double-overtime defeat this evening at Loyola Soccer Park. With the win, the Bears improve to 4-6-0 overall (3-1-0 MVC), while the Ramblers drop to 4-5-0 overall (0-3-0 MVC).
How It Happened
Loyola nearly went in front inside five minutes when freshman
Lucas Imrie saw his point-blank headed attempt parried away by Marc Olson, the Central Arkansas goalkeeper. Olson came up big again just seconds later as he turned away senior
Elliot Collier. Freshman goalkeeper
Aidan Aylward recorded a pair of key saves, including a one-on-one stop of Donald
Benamna in the 30
th minute, to ensure that the two conference rivals would head to halftime knotted up at 0-0.
Central Arkansas would go on top, 1-0, just six minutes into the second half as
Benamna tucked his attempt from 15 yards inside the far post. Loyola would answer back in the 58
th minute through a set piece. Junior
Fabian Lifka sent a free kick into the box that connected with Imrie, who fought his attempt past a diving Olson to level the game up at 1-1.
Both teams continued to press forward as time ticked down in regulation. Niklas Brodacki sent the Bears back in front, 2-1, when he headed past Aylward in the 72
nd minute. As was the case earlier in the half, Loyola responded. Freshman
Tyler Biggs sent a cross from the right side towards the back post that found a leaping Megally to once again get the Maroon & Gold back on level terms, 2-2. Loyola would survive a scare in the 86
th minute when Brodacki hit the post as overtime would be required to determine a winner.
Megally came close to netting his second goal of the night in the 103
rd minute of play as he forced a leaping save out of Olson. Aylward would match his counterpart three minutes later as he tipped a screaming free kick by
Benamna off the crossbar to keep the Ramblers alive. San Roman would deliver the deciding strike shortly after, rolling his attempt from just inside the 18-yard box past an outstretched Aylward and in the far post to give Central Arkansas a 3-2 win.
Looking At The Numbers
- Both Imrie and Megally scored their first goals of the season this evening. Imrie's opening tally for the Ramblers was also the first goal of his collegiate career.
- Lifka notched his team-leading fourth assist on Imrie's second-half goal.
- Loyola closed the night with a 15-9 edge in shots, led by a four-attempt evening from Megally.
- Aylward was credited with three saves in goal.
Up Next
Loyola wraps up its current three-game homestand on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. when it takes on city rival UIC in a rematch of a First Round game from last season's NCAA Tournament.
