CHICAGO (September 3, 2023) – The Ramblers swept this week's action Sunday afternoon with a win over Ball State, 2-1.
Taylor Harrison netted Loyola Chicago's game winner in the 58th minute. It's the first win against the Cardinals in program history.
With the win, Loyola improves to 3-3 overall.
"I hope this builds a bit of confidence moving forward," said head coach
Barry Bimbi. "We had a dominant performance on Thursday and getting a couple goals today leading into a very tough Wisconsin team on Thursday night will give us confidence. Hopefully, we compete and bring the right mentality to that game."
How It Happened
In the first half, Ball State held a 10-2 advantage on shots, but it was the Ramblers who came away with a 1-0 lead.
Naya Lipkens was put to work in the first seven minutes. She made all three of her saves in during that stretch.
At the 19:56 mark, Lexi Fraley nearly found the back of the net for the Cardinals. Her strike went straight at Lipkens who couldn't quite stop the momentum. The ball was eventually booted by a Rambler defender who saved it inches from the line to keep the match scoreless.
Less than four minutes later,
Olivia Rhodes would sneak one by the Ball State goalkeeper.
Zoe Hevey crossed into the box from out left. After tracking it down, Rhodes struck from the end line and with the help of a bounce, the ball crossed the goal line for a 1-0 Rambler lead.
Fraley put the Cardinals on her back out of the halftime break recording three straight shots for BSU. Her third attempt was a fast break up the middle. Lipkens ran to meet her, but Fraley managed to beat her for a wide-open net. She tied the match at the 53:41 mark.
It didn't take long for Loyola to answer.
Jaimee Cibulka fed Hevey the ball in the left corner. Hevey then crossed into the box to Harrison. Harrison's one touch off her right foot scored high right for Sunday's game winner.
Loyola held off the Cardinals not allowing another shot and won, 2-1.
Inside the Box Score
- Harrison's goal was her third of the season and first game-winner.
- Hevey had a two-point outing, tallying assists on both goals.
- Harrison and Hevey each have a team-leading six points on the season.
- Cibulka's assist on Harrison's goal marks her third of the year for a team-high.
- Ball State outshot Loyola, 14-7. Shots on goal were tied, 5-5.
- Harrison and Rhodes led the Ramblers with two each.
- Lipkens earned the win in goal, improving to 3-3. She made three saves.
- Sunday's match was for Alopecia Awareness, which is an autoimmune disease senior captain,
Alaina Abel, battles. The team raised nearly $900 to donate to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
Up Next
A three-match home stand wraps up Thursday, Sept. 7 with Wisconsin. Kickoff is 7 p.m. for the Ramblers and Badgers.
