EVANSVILLE, Ind. (September 18, 2021)
In Short…
The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team dictated the tempo for large spells of play, but was held to a 0-0 draw in double overtime by host Evansville (0-5-1, 0-0-1 MVC) in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both sides this evening at Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville, Ind. Tonight's result sees the Maroon & Gold move to 3-2-1 overall (0-0-1 MVC).
Head Coach Neil Jones' Thoughts…
"Tonight was a hard-fought Missouri Valley Conference game. We weren't clinical enough turning chances into goals. Part of that is on us and part of that is Evansville's defense and goalkeeper, who made some big plays tonight. We will regroup and prepare for Drake back at Loyola Soccer Park on Saturday."
How It Happened
After a touch and go opening stretch that saw both teams struggle to break down the other in the final third, Loyola had a pair of chances near the half hour mark, with sophomore
Julian Cisneros and freshman
Benni Hofmann both forcing stops out of Evansville goalkeeper Jacob Madden.
With time ticking away in the first half, senior
Billy Hency came close to putting the Ramblers in front, heading a Hofmann corner just wide of the near post, as Loyola and Evansville headed to their locker rooms deadlocked, 0-0.
The Ramblers quickly heaped on pressure coming out of halftime, with junior
Marc Torrellas seeing his effort from 20 yards out collected by Madden in the 57
th minute. The Purple Aces' netminder was called into action again five minutes later, shifting to his near post to turn away redshirt junior
Alex Alfaro's right-footed try.
Freshman
John Gates had a tremendous chance to push Loyola on top in the 65
th minute, only to see his redirected try pushed aside by a diving Madden. The Maroon & Gold continued to push forward as time wore on, but were unable to find a breakthrough as overtime would be needed to determine the result.
Scoring chances came at a premium during the two extra sessions. With just six minutes to play in the second overtime, Cisneros found himself with space at the edge of the six-yard box, but sent his attempt narrowly wide of the far post. Less than a minute later, Torrellas rose up to meet a Hofmann corner kick, heading wide of goal. Graduate student goalkeeper
Marcel Kampman added a comfortable save on Pablo Guillen's try from distance in the closing minutes, as the Ramblers and Purple Aces each settled for a point to begin Valley play.
Looking At The Numbers
- Loyola closed the evening with a 19-3 edge in shots that was highlighted by a 13-2 advantage during the second half.
- The Ramblers put eight of their attempts on goal, led by a pair from Torrellas, who finished the night with four shots in total.
- Kampman recorded two saves, picking up his second consecutive shutout.
- Madden led Evansville's defensive efforts, racking up eight stops.
Up Next
Loyola returns home on Saturday, September 25 to host Drake in a 7 p.m. kickoff on Alumni Night at Loyola Soccer Park.
