The Loyola women’s soccer team (6-7-3, 3-1-3) played to a tie versus the Bucknell Bison (5-10-1, 3-3-1) last Wednesday evening. Even though the game proved to be scoreless after both halves and overtime, each team fought to the end with high intensity.

Bucknell ultimately outshot the Greyhounds 17 to 12. As a result, Paige Sim ‘23, the Greyhound’s freshman keeper who replaced senior keeper Lily Andres ’20 earlier in the season, finished the game impressively with a total of six saves. 

The first half started off very uneventfully. Both teams opened the game with high intensity, but neither team could break past the barrier of the opposing defense.

As a result, the play in the first half was mostly kept in the middle of the field with shots coming far and few in between. Most came from Bucknell, including the first shot on goal between either team in the 33rd minute. Loyola created their first shot on goal the 37th minute.

Loyola had a string of bad luck early in the first half with two of their offensive players picking up injuries. Kayleigh Gallagher ‘22, one of Loyola’s most productive midfielders and forwards, suffered an ankle injury in the 14th minute of the first half and was unable to continue. Nonetheless, this did not stop the Greyhounds from finishing the first half with fight and fervor.  

During the second half, the drive and need for a goal picked up the intensity even more with Bucknell clocking in with 17 fouls and Loyola with 12. 

The play started to open up when both teams found more offensive chances with Bucknell shooting 10 times and Loyola six during the second half. Even with the sudden acceleration of scoring opportunities, both teams still could not find the back of the net.

The Greyhounds and Bison entered two periods of overtime with it ultimately ending in a 0-0 tie. Each team kept their clean sheets for the entire 120-minute duration.

Featured Image courtesy of Loyola Athletics.