Manset strikes early as Loyola battles Iowa State to 1-1 draw
BALTIMORE — Loyola University Maryland women’s soccer earned another hard-fought result Thursday night, battling Big 12 opponent Iowa State to a 1-1 draw at Ridley Athletic Complex. Savannah Manset scored just over four minutes into the match for the Greyhounds, while goalkeeper Hannah Goetzer delivered a strong six-save performance to preserve the tie. Loyola moved to 0-1-6 on the season, while Iowa State completed its nonconference schedule at 4-2-2.
Loyola has not collected its first victory yet, but six draws through seven matches tell the story of a team that has been extremely difficult to put away. The Greyhounds have tied William & Mary, Arkansas, George Mason, Stony Brook, Fairleigh Dickinson and now Iowa State, with their only defeat coming against Princeton. Thursday’s result was particularly notable because Iowa State arrived in Baltimore with four victories and was preparing to begin Big 12 competition.
Manset gives Loyola a dream start
The Greyhounds wasted almost no time putting Iowa State under pressure. At the 4:05 mark, Manset converted a chance created by Ella Moss to give Loyola a 1-0 advantage. It was Manset’s first goal of the season and Loyola’s first goal since its Aug. 16 draw against Arkansas.
Unfortunately for Loyola, the lead lasted only 19 seconds. Iowa State immediately attacked after the restart, and Sophie Forrester scored her second goal of the year at 4:24 following a feed from Makenna Marshall. Two goals had been scored before five minutes were on the clock, but neither team would find the net again over the remaining 85-plus minutes.
The Greyhounds did not disappear offensively after Iowa State’s equalizer. Manset put another attempt on target in the 10th minute, while Rylie Van Wingerden sent a shot high later in the opening half. Taryn Buckley forced Iowa State goalkeeper Eme McClenahan into a save in the 35th minute as Loyola continued looking for a second goal.
Goetzer stands tall in second half
Iowa State began to control more of the possession and attacking opportunities as the game progressed, particularly after halftime. The Cyclones finished with an 18-9 advantage in total shots and placed seven attempts on goal compared with Loyola’s four. Iowa State also held 57 percent of the possession and generated four corner kicks, but the Greyhounds’ defense repeatedly denied the Cyclones the decisive second goal.
Goetzer played a major role in keeping the game tied. Five of her six saves came during the second half, beginning with a stop against Izabella Tejeda in the 54th minute. She then denied Forrester twice, making saves in the 60th and 67th minutes as the Cyclones searched for the breakthrough.
The pressure continued late, but Goetzer remained composed. She stopped Breezie Brewer and Cassidy Corcione during the closing stages to complete her six-save performance. Iowa State produced 12 of its 18 shots in the second half, compared with five for Loyola, making the Greyhounds’ ability to survive that pressure one of the biggest stories of the match.
Greyhounds still created chances to win
Loyola was not simply protecting the draw. Reagan Mallia and Buckley each tested the Iowa State defense in the second half, while Manset had another attempt blocked. The Greyhounds also earned both of their corner kicks during the final 15 minutes, giving Loyola opportunities to steal the match despite Iowa State’s statistical advantage.
The final statistics reflected Iowa State’s greater volume of possession and chances, but Loyola was efficient enough to stay dangerous. Iowa State finished with 18 shots, seven on goal and four corners, while Loyola recorded nine shots, four on goal and two corners. McClenahan made three saves for Iowa State, while Goetzer’s six stops proved crucial for the Greyhounds.
The defensive performance also continued an impressive stretch for Loyola. The Greyhounds entered Thursday after consecutive scoreless draws against George Mason, Stony Brook and Fairleigh Dickinson. Although Iowa State ended Loyola’s shutout streak, the Greyhounds responded to the early equalizer by holding the Cyclones scoreless for the final 85 minutes.
Loyola continues unusual run of draws
Loyola’s 0-1-6 record is unusual, but it also shows how close the Greyhounds have been throughout the opening portion of the season. Six of their first seven games have ended level, including 1-1 draws against William & Mary, Arkansas and Iowa State and scoreless draws against George Mason, Stony Brook and Fairleigh Dickinson. Princeton remains the only opponent to defeat Loyola this season.
Thursday also marked the first meeting between Loyola and Iowa State. The Cyclones entered the matchup having already recorded their highest nonconference win total in a decade, making the result another encouraging indication that Loyola can compete against quality opposition. Iowa State now turns its attention to Big 12 play, beginning with Colorado on Sept. 17.
Loyola will get another opportunity to earn its first victory Sunday when James Madison visits Ridley Athletic Complex. The match is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be available on ESPN+. Patriot League competition then begins Sept. 20 when Loyola travels to Holy Cross.
MSB Take
At some point Loyola needs to turn these draws into victories, but there is plenty to like about the Greyhounds’ performance against Iowa State. The Cyclones doubled Loyola in total shots and controlled more possession, yet Loyola scored first and never allowed Iowa State to take the lead. Goetzer was excellent when the Greyhounds needed her most, particularly while facing sustained pressure in the second half.
The most encouraging development may have been Manset finally breaking Loyola’s scoring drought. The Greyhounds had gone three consecutive games without scoring, and finding more consistent offense is the next step for a team that has already demonstrated it can defend. Loyola has allowed opponents very little separation through seven matches, but eventually those close games have to become wins.
A 0-1-6 record might look strange on paper, but Loyola has lost only once all season and just earned a result against a Big 12 program. With Patriot League play approaching, the Greyhounds have established a defensive foundation that can keep them competitive. If the attack begins turning a few of these opportunities into goals, Loyola could quickly start converting all of those draws into victories.
