In Short…
Loyola University Chicago (1-1-2, 0-0-1 MVC) posted its third straight clean sheet, but was unable to find the back of the net as it played to a 0-0 draw in double overtime with Drake this afternoon in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams at the Mercyhealth Sportscore Two in Loves Park, Ill.
 
Head Coach Neil Jones' Thoughts…
"Happy to get a point.  We're disappointed it wasn't three, but Drake is a good team.  They have good players all over the field, dangerous players in the attacking third, and strong defenders.  I thought it was a good soccer game.  Just disappointed we couldn't get all three points, but we'll take the one."
 
How It Happened
Opportunities were few and far between in the first half, as both defensive units limited chances.  Drake's Jaffer Murphy tallied the first shot for either side in the 40^th minute, forcing a comfortable save out of graduate student goalkeeper Marcel Kampman. 
 
Sophomore Oscar Dueso, who made his debut with the Maroon & Gold today, took aim at the Drake net just two minutes later, but was turned away by Drake netminder Jared Brown to close out the opening 45 minutes.
 
Dueso was right back in the mix five minutes into the second stanza, heading a corner kick from fellow sophomore Marc Torrellas narrowly wide of goal.  Leroy Enzugusi created space with just a quarter of an hour remaining in regulation, rolling his effort from the edge of the penalty area into the arms of Kampman.
 
Junior Ethan Stoneman let rip with arguably the best chance of regulation in the 83^rd minute, unleashing a rocket that was parried away by Brown, ultimately sending the two Valley rivals to overtime.
 
The best chance of either extra session fell to junior Fabian Becerra in the 96^th minute.  Becerra found himself of the receiving end of a cross into the 18-yard box and redirected on goal, only for Brown to make a fine save, ensuring a share of the points on the afternoon.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Loyola closed the day with a slim 8-6 edge in shots, putting three of its attempts on target.
- Becerra, Stoneman, and Dueso were each credited with a pair of shots.
- Kampman recorded three saves to secure his first complete shutout of the year.
- The Ramblers have now held their opposition scoreless for 310 consecutive minutes of game action.
 
Up Next
Loyola is idle until Tuesday, March 9 when it hits the road to battle Evansville at 6 p.m.