CHICAGO (September 7, 2023) – It was a battle from start to finish Thursday night between the Ramblers and Badgers at Loyola Soccer Park. Loyola got within one goal of Wisconsin twice, but the Badgers held on to win, 3-2.
 
With the loss, Loyola falls to 3-4 overall.
 
"I am proud of the effort from the girls tonight to go toe-to-toe with Wisconsin who is going to be in the top-third of the Big Ten," said head coach Barry Bimbi. "We need to start competing from the opening whistle and not wait for something to go bad to start competing. I'm proud of the effort and proud of the mentality. We've got to compete in games like this, and I thought we did after the first goal on."
 
How It Happened
The first 18 minutes of Thursday's match were a defensive battle with each team only allowed one off-target attempt, but at the 19:24 mark, the Badgers managed to find the back of the net off a fast break up the middle from Aryssa Mahrt for the 1-0 edge.
 
With a little over 15 minutes left in the first, Jadyn Harris entered the match providing a much needed spark for the Ramblers offense. In the 44^th minute, Harris helped down a ball at the top of the box to Maggie Schmidt, who sent a one-touch pass back to Amanda Cassidy. Cassidy was able to place the ball over the keeper's shoulder to tie the match, 1-1.
 
The half wasn't over with Wisconsin's attempt out of the kickoff. Adee Boer gave chase to a deflection at the goal line to tap in the second goal with 50 seconds left in the first. The Badgers led 2-1 at the break.
 
In the second half, both Wisconsin and Loyola would see penalty kicks less than three minutes apart. Emma Jaskaniec was awarded one following a foul in the box in the 56^th minute, helping extend the Wisconsin lead, 3-1.
 
On the next trip down the field, the Badgers had a handball in the box resulting in a penalty kick for the Ramblers. Madeleine Barone placed it low left cutting the deficit, 3-2.
 
Taylor Harrison had one final look in the 87^th minute for Loyola, but it went out left. Wisconsin held on to win, 3-2.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Cassidy's goal was her second of the season. She now has four points this year for the Ramblers.
- Barone's goal was the first penalty kick opportunity for Loyola. It also marked her first goal of the season.
- Harris and  Schmidt tallied their first career points after assisting on Cassidy's goal.
- Nine different Ramblers have now recorded points this season.
- Wisconsin outshot Loyola, 14-6 and 6-2 on goal.
- Harrison and Cassidy tallied a pair of shots each.
- In goal, Naya Lipkens made three saves.
 
Up Next
The non-conference schedule wraps up across town. Loyola heads to DePaul Sunday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.