Loyola and Lafayette drew on a cold, rainy Saturday afternoon, which treated fans to a very competitive game. The game ended 0-0 with Loyola outshooting Lafayette 12-10 overall, with Loyola committing 14 fouls.
Loyola throughout the game had difficulties controlling the ball in the offensive zone. The game was a battle to really control the midfield and generate offense. The high amount of turnovers also contributed to the lack of firepower from both sides.
Loyola struggled to gain any momentum until the 57th minute when Lafayette was issued a red card for a tackle from behind. After that point Loyola seemed to be more in control and more confortable playing with a man up. There were six cards issued in the game, five to Lafayette including one to an assistant coach just before overtime started.
The best opportunity for the Greyhounds came in the last stages of regulation, when Laurin Vogel whipped a ball into the box, which caught the gusty wind. The wind took the ball and almost put it into the goal, but instead landed on top of the netting for a Lafayette goal kick.
Lafayette almost had a goal scoring opportunity of their own during the first overtime period. Lafayette managed to put a shot on goal passed Loyola goalkeeper Matt Sanchez, but A. Mickey Watson was there in support and cleared the ball off the line to keep the game scoreless, which is how the contest ended.
Loyola’s upcoming matches are against some of the best in the Patriot league. They are home on Wednesday against American; kickoff is at 7 PM. Then they head north to battle BU next Saturday.
