Three Loyola Women’s Soccer Players Earn Patriot League Weekly Honors

Loyola University Maryland women’s soccer opened the 2026 season without a loss through its first two matches, and three Greyhounds were rewarded for their performances by the Patriot League.

Graduate midfielder Reagan Mallia, freshman defender Geneve Pouliot and senior goalkeeper Hannah Goetzer were each named Patriot League Players of the Week on Monday, Aug. 17. Mallia earned Midfielder of the Week, Pouliot was selected as Defensive Player of the Week and Goetzer received Goalkeeper of the Week honors.

The three awards came after Loyola opened the season with consecutive 1-1 draws against William & Mary and No. 10 Arkansas at Ridley Athletic Complex. The result against Arkansas was especially significant, marking the highest-ranked result in Loyola women’s soccer program history.

Mallia Delivers Against No. 10 Arkansas

Mallia provided one of the biggest moments of Loyola’s young season when the Severna Park native scored the equalizer against Arkansas.

With Loyola trailing in the second half, Mallia scored directly from a corner kick for an Olimpico goal, pulling the Greyhounds even and helping them earn the historic 1-1 draw.

Mallia also played an important role throughout Loyola’s midfield over both opening matches. The graduate student brings significant experience to a Greyhounds team looking to contend in the Patriot League, and her ability to influence the game against one of the nation’s highest-ranked teams showed why she remains an important part of Loyola’s lineup.

The Maryland connection makes the honor even more notable. Mallia is from Severna Park and attended Archbishop Spalding before continuing her career at Loyola.

Pouliot Makes Immediate Impact

Pouliot needed only two collegiate games to earn her first Patriot League weekly award.

The freshman defender played all 180 minutes across Loyola’s opening two contests and quickly established herself as a major part of the Greyhounds’ back line. Pouliot helped Loyola limit its opponents to only one goal from open play over the two games.

Her work was particularly important against Arkansas.

The Razorbacks entered the season ranked No. 10 nationally, but Loyola’s defense limited Arkansas to five shots on goal and did not surrender a goal from open play. Pouliot also helped the Greyhounds hold William & Mary to just seven total shots in the season opener.

That is an impressive start for a freshman playing a demanding position at the Division I level.

Pouliot, a Quebec, Canada native, has immediately stepped into a Loyola defense that entered the season needing to replace several important pieces from last year’s back line.

Loyola allowed only 18 goals last season, the second-fewest total in the Patriot League, and maintaining that defensive identity was one of the biggest questions surrounding the Greyhounds entering 2026.

Pouliot’s first two performances suggest she could become a major part of the answer.

Goetzer Continues Strong Play in Goal

Goetzer’s early-season performance has continued the strong goalkeeper play she displayed last season.

The senior recorded eight saves through Loyola’s first two games while posting an .800 save percentage. She made several important stops in both matches, including a kick save against William & Mary that helped preserve the draw.

Against Arkansas, Goetzer made four second-half saves, including two during the final 20 minutes as Loyola protected the 1-1 score.

Her play should not come as a surprise.

Goetzer posted a 4-3-7 record last season with 59 saves, an .808 save percentage and a 1.00 goals-against average. Loyola leaned heavily on her during Patriot League play, and she returns in 2026 as one of the experienced anchors of the Greyhounds’ defense.

Goetzer also played all 90 minutes in Loyola’s season-opening draw against William & Mary, stopping three shots as the Greyhounds recovered after conceding the first goal.

Strong Start for Loyola

Loyola may have opened the season 0-0-2, but the record does not fully tell the story.

The Greyhounds demonstrated an ability to respond after falling behind in both matches and then earned a result against a nationally ranked SEC opponent.

Against William & Mary, Katie Ormerod equalized only two minutes after the Tribe took a 1-0 lead. Loyola also generated eight corner kicks compared with three for William & Mary.

Four days later, Loyola again found itself trailing 1-0 before Mallia’s corner-kick goal brought the Greyhounds level against Arkansas.

For a program that entered 2026 with several experienced returners but also new faces taking larger roles, earning three of the Patriot League’s weekly awards after the opening weekend represents an encouraging start.

Mallia gives Loyola an experienced presence in midfield. Pouliot has quickly emerged as a promising young defender. Goetzer remains a proven goalkeeper capable of keeping Loyola in close matches.

The combination could be important once Patriot League play begins.

MSB Take

Two draws might not immediately jump off the standings, but Loyola’s opening week should be viewed as a success.

Drawing No. 10 Arkansas was a statement result for the Greyhounds, especially considering the defensive performance required to contain the Razorbacks. Earning three Patriot League weekly awards reinforces just how well Loyola competed during its opening two matches.

Pouliot might be the most intriguing development. A freshman playing every minute at center back through her first two collegiate games and immediately earning Defensive Player of the Week is an excellent sign for Loyola’s future.

Goetzer provides stability behind that defense, while Mallia showed against Arkansas that Loyola has an experienced midfielder capable of producing a decisive moment when the Greyhounds need one.

If Loyola can turn some of these early draws into victories while maintaining this level of defensive play, the Greyhounds could become a difficult matchup once Patriot League competition arrives.

Loyola was scheduled to continue nonconference play at Princeton following the announcement of the weekly awards.

Sources: Loyola University Maryland Athletics, Patriot League information and Loyola 2026 women’s soccer roster/season materials.