Loyola women’s soccer hosted Virginia Commonwealth University at Ridley Athletic Complex this past Thursday evening, Aug. 28. Although the Loyola Greyhounds lost to the VCU Rams, the game marked the welcome of the Class of 2029 to the Evergreen campus.

The gripping soccer match culminated in a 0-2 loss for Loyola. The Greyhounds fell to a 3-1-1 overall record, snapping an undefeated introduction to the season. 

The Rams struck early, and The Greyhounds surrendered a one-goal deficit only 107 seconds into the game. However, the stands were filled with members of the incoming first-year class, cheering for the Greyhounds despite the early struggle.

The Greyhounds had a resurgent second half, firing four shots and several notable corner kicks, but it was not enough to obtain the victory. 

Overall, the Loyola women’s soccer team generated six shots, five shots on goal, and six corners. The VCU women’s soccer team generated five shots, three shots on goal, and zero corners. 

Countless members of the Loyola community, particularly the incoming Class of 2029, filled the seats of Ridley Athletic Complex to celebrate the First-Year Welcome Weekend. 

The First-Year Orientation includes a variety of activities, ranging from Messina small group meetings to casino night. Orientation introduces first-years to many different aspects of Loyola student life, including sports.

Evergreen Ryan Turnamian ‘28 explained that the main purpose of First-Year Orientation is to introduce incoming students to Loyola and to each other. He explained that the soccer game specifically was important because it allows first-years to make connections, even if they are tired from move-in and the first day of being away from home.

Additionally, Evergreen Devin Healy ‘28 vocalized that it is important to introduce first-years to Loyola sports on their first day. 

“Sports can bond a lot of people. It’s a really easy way for students to make connections, especially students who are just now meeting one another,” Healy said. 

Healy reflected on his Messina group bonding over soccer, as well as other sports at Loyola.

“Going to the game is the beginning of a relationship you can see grow in real-time,” Healy said.

Turnamian seconds the idea that sports bring people together. The Evergreen plays club rugby at Loyola and has made many friends on the team. He hopes that first-years can have a similar experience creating connections through sports. 

Two first-years at the soccer game, Jack Ludington ‘29 and Teddy Demore ‘29, have already made friendships through sports. The pair played lacrosse together in high school and now are roommates. 

Ludington understands the social benefits of sports, having met some of his closest friends, such as Demore, through athletics. Sports are also important to Demore’s life and have brought a lot of his friendships together.

Ludington and Demore, as well as the other first-years in their Messina group, were very excited to meet more people at the soccer game.

The city of Baltimore itself has plenty of opportunities to engage with sports through the Orioles and Ravens. Healy mentions that many Evergreens incorporate Baltimore athletics into their Messina groups through activities such as going to an Orioles game.

Turnamian believes that the Messina program may not always create best friends, but it places an emphasis on connection-making. 

“Messina gives first-years the chance to recognize more familiar faces and build even stronger connections,” Turnamian said. 

The women’s soccer game was one of the first of many ways for the Class of 2029 to connect with each other. The remainder of First-Year Orientation that followed provided more opportunities to connect, and so will the years to come. 

“Sports don’t get in the way of relationships. They only help build them,” Healy said.