Late American Goal Denies Loyola Women’s Soccer in 2-2 Draw
By Brian Hradsky
Loyola University Maryland women’s soccer battled back from an early deficit and took a second-half lead, but a late American University goal forced the Greyhounds to settle for a 2-2 draw Wednesday night at Ridley Athletic Complex.
The Greyhounds improved to 1-2-8 overall and 1-1-1 in Patriot League play with the result. Loyola controlled significant stretches of the match, finishing with a 15-14 advantage in shots, a 6-5 edge in corner kicks and 62 percent of the possession. The Greyhounds also put six shots on goal compared with five for American.
American Strikes First
American wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, taking a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute. Piper Garcia capitalized following a sequence inside the Loyola penalty area, scoring her second goal of the season at the 8:39 mark. Bella Miller received credit for the assist.
Loyola responded by gradually taking control of the match. The Greyhounds outshot American 8-5 during the opening half and continued creating opportunities as they searched for an equalizer. American goalkeeper Riley Molbury helped keep Loyola off the scoreboard until the closing minutes of the half.
The breakthrough finally came at 42:54. Megan Wijdoogen worked the ball to Leah Carter on the left side of the penalty area, and Carter found an opening to score her second goal of the season. Reagan Mallia also received an assist on the play, sending Loyola into halftime tied 1-1.
Van Wingerden Gives Loyola the Lead
Loyola carried its momentum into the second half and nearly grabbed the lead early in the period when one of its attempts struck the crossbar.
The Greyhounds did not have to wait much longer.
Rylie Van Wingerden scored the first goal of her collegiate career at 58:55, giving Loyola a 2-1 advantage. Van Wingerden struck from outside the box and found the left side of the net, with Mallia picking up her second assist of the night.
Mallia’s two-assist performance proved to be one of Loyola’s biggest individual contributions. She helped set up both Greyhound goals as Loyola turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 advantage.
American, however, refused to go away.
Eagles Find Late Equalizer
The Eagles generated several opportunities after falling behind before finally tying the match in the 76th minute.
American earned a corner kick and Jayden Fisher delivered the ball toward the far post. Natalia Croce connected with a header and put it into the upper-left portion of the goal at 75:51, tying the match 2-2. It was Croce’s first collegiate goal.
Loyola continued attacking rather than simply protecting the draw. Katie Ormerod forced Molbury into two saves during the closing stretch, while Savannah Manset had another late opportunity blocked.
Neither team could find the decisive fifth goal, leaving the Greyhounds with their eighth draw of the season.
Greyhounds Hold Statistical Edge
Loyola finished with advantages in several major categories despite being unable to secure all three points. The Greyhounds outshot American 15-14, put six attempts on target and earned six corner kicks. American finished with five shots on goal and five corners.
Manset led Loyola with five shots, while Ormerod recorded four. Carter and Van Wingerden accounted for Loyola’s two goals, while Mallia assisted on both.
Brigid Mulholland made three saves in goal for the Greyhounds. American’s Molbury stopped four Loyola attempts.
The match was also physical. Loyola was called for 12 fouls compared with five for American, while each side received three yellow cards.
Loyola Continues Patriot League Play
The draw moved Loyola to 1-1-1 through its first three Patriot League matches. The Greyhounds opened conference play with a 2-1 victory over Holy Cross before suffering a 1-0 loss against Boston University and drawing American.
Loyola now turns its attention to another important Patriot League matchup. The Greyhounds travel to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, to face Bucknell on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m.
MSB Take
Loyola will be disappointed not to leave Ridley Athletic Complex with three points after overcoming an early deficit and taking the lead in the second half. The Greyhounds controlled possession, generated more shots and responded well after American’s opening goal.
There were still encouraging signs. Carter continued contributing offensively, Van Wingerden scored the first goal of her career and Mallia created both Loyola goals with a pair of assists. The Greyhounds also showed the ability to respond after falling behind rather than allowing the early American goal to dictate the match.
The challenge continues to be turning competitive performances into victories. Eight draws through 11 matches demonstrate how difficult Loyola has been to beat, but the Greyhounds will need to start converting some of those close matches into wins as the Patriot League schedule progresses.
Saturday’s trip to Bucknell gives Loyola another opportunity to do exactly that.
