CHICAGO (August 26, 2023) - Loyola Chicago is fresh off its first win of the 2023 season after downing the Toledo Rockets 2-1 earlier this week. The Ramblers will look to double its win total at Bowling Green Sunday, Aug. 27. The Falcons have yet to earn a win after dropping their first two of the year. Kickoff in Bowling Green is set for 12 p.m. CT.
QUICK KICKS
• The Ramblers picked up their first win of the season at Toledo Friday morning after defeating the Falcons, 2-1.
Taylor Harrison scored her second goal of the season, while
Ansley Cryan tallied her first as the Rambler. Cryan's was also the game winner and came in the 74th minute of action.
• Harrison's two goals this year leads the Ramblers after three games. She is also tied thrid in the Atlantic 10. Her four total points sits 10th on the league leaderboards.
• Through the first three games,
Naya Lipkens has logged every minute between the posts. Lipkens has 11 total saves, including a season-high six vs. Kansas. She is averaging 3.67 saves per game tied ninth in the A10.
• In the first week of action, the Ramblers found the back of the net three times. Harrison scored the first goal of the season at Illinois, while
Zoe Hevey netted her first collegiate goal against the Illini. Then at home,
Amanda Cassidy put one away off a free kick vs. Kansas.
• Loyola Chicago was selected fifth in this year's Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll earlier this week. The Ramblers earned 158 votes in the poll and sit behind Massachusetts in fourth. UMass earned one first-place vote, while Saint Louis was crowned the preseason favorite with the remaining 14 votes.
• The Ramblers posted an 8-8-3 overall record and a 4-5-1 finish in A10 play last season. They earned the No. 8 seed in the A10 Tournament for their first ever berth as part of the conference. The 2022 season came to an end in the first round to the eventual champs, Saint Louis.
• Loyola returns 18 letterwinners to the 2023 roster, including nine starters. Among top returners is senior defender
Alaina Abel. Abel was tabbed to the A10 Second Team last year. She helped the Ramblers post five shutouts and played every minute of the regular season.
• In addition to the returners, Loyola added nine newcomers. Eight are freshman who look to log their first collegiate minutes, while
Kenedi Jones is a junior transfer out of Lewis. Jones was a two-time Delahanty Award Winner and tallied two assists during her two-year campaign at Lewis.
•
Barry Bimbi enters his 13th season as head coach of the Ramblers. Bimbi notched his 100th career win last year and sits at 107-92-29 overall ahead of the 2023 season. The women's soccer program is closing in on its 250th win since its inception in 1992 with an overall record of 247-316-45.
SCOUTING BOWLING GREEN
The Falcons dropped their first two matches on the road and look to win their home opener against the Ramblers. The season kicked off against the nationally ranked Michigan State squad. The Spartans took and 3-1 win, while Cincinnati then blanked Bowling Green, 1-0.
FALCONS TO WATCH
• Lizzie Bultynck is the lone Falcon with a goal this season. She scored off the bench in a 3-1 loss to Michigan State in the season opener. It marked the first career goal for the freshman.
• Brynn Gardner returns from last year's squad. She totaled 19 points off six goals and a team-best seven assists. She was named MAC All-Freshman.
• In goal, Lili Berg has made one start and two appearances. She's made seven saves so far this season, including a season-high six saves at Michigan State.
SERIES HISTORY
Loyola Chicago leads the all-time series 2-0-0. The Ramblers won over the Falcons in 2011 and 2012. The 2012 match is the last time they played.
