TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (March 24, 2021)
 
In Short…
After falling behind in the first half, Loyola University Chicago (5-0-1, 5-0-1 MVC) erupted for five second-half goals as it rolled to a 5-1 win over Indiana State (3-3-0, 3-2-0 MVC) this afternoon at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute, Ind.
 
Head Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"Our players really flipped a switch in the second half.  They started to play loose and free, and stopped trying to make every play perfect.  We are still growing and learning as a team, and today was no different.  How we responded to being down at the half makes us stronger in so many ways, and we're very excited to see what the rest of the season holds for this group."
 
How It Happened
Sophomore Amanda Cassidy, the reigning MVC Offensive Player of the Week, looked to get Loyola off and running just 24 seconds in, sending her attempt high of goal.  Shortly after, fellow sophomore Megan Nemec forced a stop out of Indiana State goalkeeper Maddie Alexander at her near post.
 
The Maroon & Gold continued to press forward as the first half wore on, with senior Freya Glen and Nemec both firing high.  Indiana State made the most of its lone chance just before the half-hour mark.  CeCe Wahlberg raced down the right flank before sending a centering pass to Katie Yankey, who scored from 12 yards out to give the Sycamores a 1-0 lead that they would carry into halftime. 
 
Junior Abby Swanson put Loyola back on level terms only 98 seconds after the restart.  After seeing senior Katharine Stephens' shot cleared off the line, Swanson took aim from 20 yards out, sending her attempt off a Sycamore defender and past Alexander to make it 1-1. 
 
That scoreline held for all of four minutes, when senior Lindsey Hardiman let fly with a left-footed effort from the edge of the 18-yard box that curled in at the far post, staking the Ramblers to a 2-1 edge.  Two minutes later, Nemec netted a near identical goal, using her left foot to best Alexander and double the Loyola lead, 3-1.
 
Nemec found herself back in the mix for two more tallies in the 56^th minute of play.  The sophomore raced down the left side and sent a ball towards the penalty spot that found an unmarked Hardiman, who directed home to push the margin to 4-1.  Just 27 seconds after, Nemec delivered a cross into the box that Stephens headed in, upping the Maroon & Gold's lead to 5-1.
 
Loyola slammed the door shut the rest of the way, allowing the Sycamores just two shots on goal over the final 35 minutes of regulation en route to its fifth straight win on the year.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Loyola's five goals scored are its most since a 6-1 win over Evansville back on October 25, 2018.
- This afternoon marked the first two-goal game of Hardiman's career.
- Nemec, who netted her first goal of the season, recorded two assists in a game for the third time in her career.  She currently shares the team lead in overall points (6) with Glen.
- Like Nemec, Swanson opened her spring 2021 account, scoring her eighth career goal.
- Stephens found the back of the net for the second time in as many games.
- Senior Jenna Ross was credited with an assist on Hardiman's go-ahead goal.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Grace Droessler finished the day with a pair of saves in goal, as the Ramblers owned an 18-5 edge in shots.
 
Up Next
Loyola opens up a two-game homestand to close the regular season on Sunday, March 28 at 11 a.m. against Valley women's soccer newcomer Southern Illinois.  With a win over the Salukis, the Ramblers can clinch their third straight Missouri Valley Conference regular season title.