Staff Writer
In front of an announced crowd of 1,571 at the Ridley Athletic Complex, Men’s Soccer opened Patriot League Play with a 2-1 to Holy Cross, just their second of the season. It was a cool, sunny day in Baltimore and despite a scoreless first half, Loyola and Holy Cross scored three times in the second half, but the Crusaders escaped with a victory.
With the home crowd behind them, the Hounds came out very aggressively in the second half. In the 59th minute of play, sophomore Dominic Marshall served a corner kick into the box, but senior Diego McQuestion’s header attempt went flying off the post.
Connor Thompson collected the rebound and attempted his own shot but a Holy Cross defender blocked it right on the goal line. Senior Stephen Dooley then took his own attempt on goal, a blast from 20 yards out that was saved by Holy Cross goalkeeper Kevin Wright.
After a long period of Loyola possession, Holy Cross finally capitalized on their offensive counterattack for the first goal of the game. Monty Sanders launched a corner kick that was collected by Dane Kenney who hit a right-footed blast just beyond the outstretched hands of senior goalkeeper Zach Kane.
The lead didn’t last very long, as the Greyhounds retaliated within five minutes of the Crusader goal. Stephen Dooley attacked the net on two fast break opportunities but found his shots sail just left of the goal post.
Five minutes later in the 78th minute, Dominic Marshall took the ball upfield and found Dooley on the right wing. Dooley’s attempt was blocked but Marshall was able to collect the rebound and fire a shot and a score from 14 yards out. Dooley’s assist on the goal was his fifth of the season.
Just as it appeared the match was headed to overtime, the Crusaders dealt a strike to the Greyhounds with a goal in the 87th minute of regulation. Josh Cintas played a ball into the box that Loyola cleared away from potential danger.
The Crusader’s Tommy Uttaro however secured possession of the ball and sent a shot beyond Kane for the eventual game winning goal.
Before the minute was over, Holy Cross was called for a foul and Loyola was given an opportunity to tie the game with just three minutes remaining in regulation. Conner Thompson lined up the free kick from the left side and let it fly just into the outstretched hands of Kevin Wright.
In the final minute of the game, Colin McNabb sent a cross into the box. Diego McQuestion tried to head it into the back of the net but the near-record breaking crowd watched it sail over the post, sealing the victory for the Holy Cross Crusaders.
Throughout the game, Loyola outshot the Crusaders by four, with 16 attributed to the Greyhounds to the Crusader’s 12. Stephen Dooley and Connor Thompson lead the team with four shots a piece. In goal, senior Zach Kane tallied six saves, one shy of his career high, while also playing all 90 minutes between the pipes.
With this game capping off a long home stretch for the Hounds, Loyola will start a three game road trip on Wednesday, October 2. The Greyhounds travel to James Madison University for their last non conference game of the season. Kick off for the game is slated for 7 p.m.
