WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (November 13, 2021)
 
In Short…
The Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team pushed No. 24 Purdue (15-4-2, 8-2-0 B1G) to the limit, but a Sarah Griffith goal in the 104^th minute proved to be the difference as the Boilermakers survived the Maroon & Gold's upset bid by a final score of 1-0 in double overtime this evening in the First Round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship.  Tonight's result from Folk Field sees the Ramblers close the 2021 season at 13-3-2 overall (7-0-1 MVC).
 
How It Happened
A busy night for both goalkeepers started early, with Purdue netminder Marisa Bova diving to deny junior Megan Nemec in the seventh minute before senior Maddie Hausmann turned away Griffith and Jones in short order.  Hausmann turned in her first of multiple highlight reel saves in the 28^th minute, rushing out to parry away Ally Mussallem's close-range effort, as Loyola and Purdue headed to halftime deadlocked at 0-0.
 
Graduate student Katharine Stephens had visions of the opener eight minutes into the second stanza when she redirected a cross from junior Olivia Knab on target, only for Bova to come up with a terrific save of her own.  Hausmann continued to keep the Ramblers on level terms just past the hour mark, snagging a rocket off the right foot of Griffith.  Graduate student Kailee Coonan made a bid for the night's first goal in the 70^th minute, narrowly pulling her try wide off the far post.
 
Hausmann continued to dazzle as the half wore on, registering saves in rapid succession on Griffth and Sydney Duarte in the 72^nd minute.  The Rambler netminder notched another stop in the 82^nd minute, as Loyola and Purdue headed to overtime to determine a winner.
 
After a scoreless opening extra session, Griffith put the game to rest just under four minutes into the second overtime, driving a right-footed shot through traffic and into the back of the net to punch Purdue's ticket to the Second Round.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Hausmann was outstanding in net, racking up a career-high 13 saves.
- Loyola closed the night with 13 shots, led by three apiece from Nemec and senior Bailey Faulkner.
- The reigning Big Ten Forward of the Year, Griffith paced Purdue with six shots, while Bova posted a six-save night in goal.
 
Head Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"I'm gutted for the team.  Our goal from day one of preseason was to advance in the NCAA Tournament.  Our girls left everything out on the field, but apparently it wasn't our day."