On Tuesday night, the Loyola Women’s soccer team beat Colgate 0-0 (4-3 on PK’s) to advance to the Patriot League Tournament’s semi-finals. Loyola had the advantage in shots, 12-10, and in saves, 6-4.
The contest initially started out with both teams full of playoff energy, which resulted in a very even contest in the first half. It appeared Rosie Hayes, the Patriot League’s Offensive Player of the Year, was going to be the deciding factor in the first half, as she almost broke through Colgate’s defense multiple times. The height of the excitement occurred around the 42nd minute of the game, when a Colgate player was issued her second yellow card of the game. Colgate did a great job at masking that they were a player down; constantly they were generating offense and holding Loyola scoreless.
The best opportunity in regulation for Loyola to score came in the 62nd minute, when a Loyola shot hit the post, bounced out, and the follow-up shot was deflected high. Colgate also had great chances to end Loyola’s season, especially as time winded down in regulation. Colgate had three straight corners around the 88th minute mark, but couldn’t convert any of them.
Both overtime periods were evenly balanced, with both teams not generating much on offense. Loyola however, had a header tipped by Colgate keeper Erin Cummings off the crossbar for a Loyola corner. Loyola also had a shot cleared off the line by Colgate around the 101st minute.
In penalties, Loyola kept their nerve and cool, converting four out of five shots. Colleen Folan did her part for Loyola and stopped Colgate enough to earn Loyola the victory. Rosie Hayes was in fact the deciding factor in the game, converting Loyola’s final penalty to send the Greyhounds through to the next round.
Loyola travels to Boston and beautiful Nickerson Field Friday, November 6 as they play the 1 seed and host, Boston University. The game is slated for a 4 p.m. kickoff. The other semi-final contest will be #3 Navy versus #2 Bucknell at 7 p.m..
