CHICAGO (November 5, 2022)
In Short
After battling raging, high-velocity winds, fourth-seeded Loyola University Chicago (8-2-6) defeated fifth-seeded George Washington (8-9-2) 1-0 in Saturday's Atlantic 10 Championship quarterfinal match. Senior Oscar Dueso scored the 28th minute game-winner as the Ramblers advanced to Wednesday's semifinal round. With the win, Loyola remained unbeaten in its last seven matches and undefeated on its home turf (7-0-3) this season.
How It Happened
Both teams took some time adjusting to the turbulent playing conditions, before Loyola blitzed the attacking zone with the wind at its back near the 20-minute mark. The Ramblers got four shots off including a good look from Fabian Becerra in the 22nd minute that was saved by George Washington's goalkeeper Justin Grady.
The pressure continued over the next several minutes with the Ramblers taking a pair of corner kicks, the second of which led to the deciding goal.
Billy Hency delivered a heavy corner kick to the far side of the box, which was flicked on and kept alive by John Gates, and forcing GWU's keeper Grady to come off his line to make a play. He blocked a shot attempt from Andrew Schweinert, but Dueso was in perfect position to clean up the rebound and launched a shot with his right foot into the upper 90.
In the second half, Loyola pressed early despite attacking into the wind, and came up with four shot attempts over the first 10-plus minutes of action while working open pockets of space. The Ramblers controlled most of the action while moving to possess and hold the ball with the one goal advantage.
George Washington found a couple of late opportunities, including a very dangerous free look from close range in the 83rd minute, but the shot went high and well over the crossbar.
Inside The Numbers
- Loyola will make its fifth straight appearance in a conference tournament semifinal
- Dueso logged his sixth goal, including five over the past eight games. He scored his second career postseason goal
- Schweinert earned his second assist of the season
- Loyola outshot George Washington 14-4 in total shots and 3-1 in shots on target
- Hency and Becerra each had a shot on goal
- Simon Jillson recorded one save while GWU's Grady finished with two saves
- The Ramblers held an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks
Up Next
The A-10 semifinals are set for Wednesday and Loyola will learn its next opponent following the result of tonight's match between No. 2 seed Duquesne and No. 7 seed La Salle. If Duquesne wins, Loyola will take on the Dukes in Pittsburgh, and if La Salle wins tonight, the Ramblers will host sixth-seeded Dayton.
