ST. LOUIS, Mo. (September 22, 2022)
 
In Short…
The Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team went stride-for-stride with No. 10 Saint Louis (10-1, 3-0 A-10) this evening, coming up on the short end of a 3-2 decision at Hermann Stadium in St. Louis, Mo.  Tonight's result from The Gateway City brings an end to the Maroon & Gold's four-game unbeaten run, dropping the Ramblers to 5-3-2 overall and 1-1 in Atlantic 10 Conference play.
 
Head Coach Barry Bimbi's Thoughts…
"We gave the 10^th ranked team in the country all it could handle, but things didn't go our way late.  We will take the positives from tonight and focus on a tough opponent in George Washington on Sunday."
 
How It Happened
Abbie Miller nearly put the hosts on top inside the opening 60 seconds, sending her headed effort at the back post narrowly over the crossbar.  Emily Groark looked to have given Saint Louis a 1-0 advantage at the quarter-hour mark when she directed into the back of the net, only to see her goal ruled out for being offside.
 
Chances were few and far between for the Maroon & Gold in the opening 45 minutes, but Loyola made the most of its opportunities.  Following a blistering run from Megan Nemec that resulted in a Billken foul on the edge of the box, Madeleine Barone bent a left-footed free kick around the Saint Louis wall and in at the near post to break the deadlock and send the Ramblers racing into halftime with a 1-0 edge.
 
Saint Louis came out with its foot on the gas in the second half, striking twice inside a 2:47 span.  After having a goal disallowed in the first half, Groark drilled an attempt in at the far post to make it 1-1 in the 48^th minute before Emily Gaebe slotted home, putting the hosts on top, 2-1, in the 51^st minute.  The Billikens threatened to add on in the 67^th minute, as Anna Lawler and Miller both struck the crossbar.
 
Goalkeeper Naya Lipkens did her part to keep the Ramblers within striking distance with time winding down, making a point-blank save on an onrushing Hannah Sawyer in the 73^rd minute.
 
Loyola got back on level terms through a set piece in the 81^st minute.  Olivia Knab sent a corner kick towards the near post that found its way across the face of goal to Abby Swanson, who smashed home to tie the game at 2-2.
 
Caroline Kelly would have the final say with just under six minutes to play, unleashing a long-distance try that found its way under the bar to propel the Billikens to an eighth straight victory.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Barone continued the terrific start to her junior year this evening, netting her second goal of the season.  The Tulsa, Okla. product currently shares the Ramblers' overall points lead (8) with Nemec.
- Swanson opened her 2022 account in the second half, with Knab dishing out her third assist of the year, a mark that ranks behind only Barone's four helpers.
- Lipkens put up a season-best seven saves in goal.
- Saint Louis closed the night with a 19-4 advantage in shots. Loyola put all four of its attempts on target.
 
Up Next
Loyola jets east to Washington, D.C. on Sunday, September 25 to take on George Washington.  Kickoff from the GW Soccer Field in set for 12 p.m. (CT) in the nation's capital.