VERMILLION, S.D. (August 18, 2022)
 
In Short…
A Madeleine Barone free kick goal in the 49^th minute was the difference as the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team (1-0-0) grinded out a 1-0 win over host South Dakota (0-1-0) this evening in the regular season opener for both teams at the First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex in Vermillion, S.D.
 
Head Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"Very pleased to get a win tonight.  South Dakota was 8-1 at home last year, so we knew it was going to be a battle.  The group had some very good moments during the run of play, but we came out of tonight with more to work on moving forward."
 
How It Happened
The hosts came close to opening the scoring just over two minutes in.  Shaylee Gailus headed on frame off a corner kick, only to see Olivia Rhodes step in to clear her attempt off the line.  As the half wore on, Loyola began to see the lion's share of possession, but struggled to break down a well-organized South Dakota defense.
 
With 10 minutes remaining in the opening frame, Amanda Cassidy teed up a free kick from 25 yards out, sending her attempt just high of the far post.  That proved to be the Maroon & Gold's last prime opportunity of the first half as the Ramblers and Coyotes headed to halftime in a scoreless deadlock.
 
Loyola needed all of 3:30 to take the lead in the second half.  A South Dakota foul set the stage for Barone, who unleashed a curling left-footed effort that found its way around Coyotes' goalkeeper Caroline Lewis and inside the far post to put the Ramblers on top, 1-0. 
 
South Dakota looked to provide a response to Barone's tally at the hour mark, with Gailus lifting her blast from inside the box over the crossbar.  Jada Holloman made a bid to double the Maroon & Gold's lead in the 72^nd minute, racing past a Coyote defender before pushing her attempt from 10 yards away wide of the near post.
 
Making her first start in goal as a Rambler, Naya Lipkens ensured the lead stayed intact down the stretch.  After turning away Ashby Johnston in the 79^th minute, Lipkens came up with one of the night's biggest plays two minutes later, leaping to parry away Hattie Giblin's shot to keep Loyola in front.  The Ramblers were able to salt the game away down the stretch en route to their second win in a regular season opener in as many years.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Barone netted her fifth career goal in the second half and third game winner.
- Paced by four attempts by Cassidy, Loyola closed the night with a 13-6 advantage in shots and a 6-4 edge in corner kicks.
- Lipkens registered three saves to pick up her first win with the Maroon & Gold.
- Multiple members of Loyola's freshman class saw action, with Jordan Pascarella, Corissa Koontz, Ella Skelton, and Emily Roberts all making their collegiate debuts.
 
Up Next
Loyola raises the curtain on the home portion of its 2022 schedule on Sunday, August 21 when it entertains Miami (Ohio) at 1 p.m.