PHILADELPHIA – Loyola Chicago forced a draw with a second-place La Salle squad Thursday night to pick up another point in the conference standings. It helped snap a seven-match win streak for the Explorers dating back to September. The 0-0 shutout marks the eighth of the year for the Ramblers and Naya Lipkens in goal.
 
With one match left in the regular season, Loyola sits at 7-7-3 overall and 3-3-3 in Atlantic 10 play.
 
"I was very impressed with the determination and grit of our players tonight against a team that had won seven in a row and is fighting for a regular season championship," said head coach Barry Bimbi. "We'll continue to work on being the best version of ourselves heading into Sunday's match against VCU."
 
How It Happened
The Ramblers defense was ready to take on the Explorers Thursday holding them to just seven shots in the match and allowed only two on goal.
 
Zoe Hevey put the first attempt on target 20 minutes in, which was matched in the 35^th minute by La Salle's Emily Banashefski. Both keepers made stops. La Salle had another close one in the 42^nd minute that went off the crossbar, and the match remained scoreless at the break.
 
In the 71^st minute, Jaimee Cibulka struck from 10 yards outside the box placing it straight down the middle to a waiting Michela Auguadro in goal for the Explorers. Banashefski responded five minutes later with La Salle's final attempt on goal, but Lipkens was able to make a diving save.
 
Hevey put on the jets inside the 87^th minute with a fast break up the middle and the final shot on goal. Auguadro made another stop and the match finished in a scoreless draw.
 
Inside the Box Score
- La Salle led 7-5 in shots. Loyola led 3-2 in shots on goal.
- Hevey took a team-high two shots. Both were on target.
- Lipkens recorded her eighth shutout between the posts making two saves.
 
Up Next
The regular season closes Sunday at Loyola Soccer Park. The Ramblers will honor the seniors before the match against VCU. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
 
Loyola is still in the hunt for a top-eight spot in the A10 standings to make the postseason tournament. VCU picked up a win against Fordham Thursday night taking over the eighth spot with 13 points in the standings, while Loyola has 12 points in ninth.