The Valparaiso University men’s soccer team created several quality chances, but Missouri Valley Conference foe Loyola prevailed 2-0 on Saturday night at Loyola Soccer Park. One Valpo chance hit the right post and another resulted in an outstanding save by the Ramblers keeper, keeping Valpo off the scoreboard on a brisk autumn evening on Chicago’s north side.
How It Happened
- Loyola got on the board in the 38th minute when Ethan Stoneman delivered the first goal of the match on a ball that narrowly crossed the goal line. Billy Hency struck a cross to set up Stoneman nicely.
- The Ramblers (7-3-1, 3-1-1 MVC) had an opportunity to double the lead in the 41st minute, but Valpo came up with a save to keep it 1-0.
- A Valpo corner kick with two minutes remaining in the first half created an opportunity, but the try was sent wide and the Ramblers retained the one-goal edge into the locker room.
- In the first minute of the second half, Aidan Megally was assisted by Alex Moskal for the second Loyola goal of the match to make it 2-0.
- Valpo set up a quality opportunity in the 49th minute, as a Cole Rainwater (Schererville, Ind. / Lake Central) try hit the post, then a rebound shot by Michael Cushing (Orange, Calif. / Villa Park) was saved by Loyola keeper Marcel Kampman.
- Freshman goalkeeper Edvin Holst (Stockholm, Sweden / Viktor Ryberg Gynasim Jaraplan) knocked away a try in the 76th minute for a highlight-real stop, adding to his day in net that featured a number of nifty saves.
- That was quickly followed by a strike by Joe Kouadio (London, England / Moorland School) that required a spectacular save by Kampman.
- Megally put another one on frame in the 81st minute, but Holst corralled it on a dive. That was followed by an 82nd-minute shot on goal by Chase Wright, with Holst garnering another stop, this time leaping into the air to turn away an effort from inside the box.
Inside the Game
- Holst built upon his conference-leading save total by garnering eight more. He remained a bright spot for Valpo with several quality stops.
- Valpo was credited with a pair of shots on goal, but had numerous other near misses.
- None of Valpo’s seven away matches have come against a team that entered the contest with a losing record. Valpo played its second of five straight on the road on Saturday.
- Rainwater was awarded three of the team’s six shots.
Up Next
Valpo (2-8-1, 1-4-0) will have another one-match week as a stretch of five straight on the road will continue on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Milwaukee. The nonconference showdown with the Panthers will kick off at 7 p.m. and will air on ESPN+.
