Loyola’s men’s soccer team fell to the Army Black Knights in heartbreaking 1-0 loss on Friday, Nov. 9, eliminating them from the Patriot League tournament in the semifinal round. Army’s Keenan O’Shea ‘20 scored the game-winner in the 82nd minute, sending the Black Knights to the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 18.

The devastating loss came just days after Loyola earned its first-ever national ranking at #23 in the national Coaches’ Poll. The Greyhounds have never won the Patriot League Championship since they joined the league in 2013.

Although Loyola held an advantage in shots on goal (5-3) and corner kicks (12-0), they ultimately failed to cash in their opportunities. The Greyhounds tested Army goalie Justin Stoll ‘20  early in the game as he saved a shot from Josh Fawole ’20, in the second minute. A well-struck ball from Stephen Nichols ’22 just a minute later hit off the cross-bar, just inches from its mark.

Loyola also came close to scoring on a Fawole header off a feed from defender Davey Mason ’20, but Stoll saved the shot. This play proved to be the Hounds’ last quality scoring chance the rest of the half.

The Hounds’ best scoring chance in the 54th minute when Gabriel Carlsson ’19 lined up for a free kick. Jake Dengler ’21 made good contact on a header, but Stoll went full extension to make the diving save–his fifth of the night.

The stalemate wore on until the 82nd minute. Army’s Oscar Pereira ‘21 advanced the ball and, exploiting a crack in the Loyola defense, sent a cross into the box. The ball found an open O’Shea who buried the header to break the tie.

Loyola failed to answer in the final ten minutes, and Army held on to pull off the upset. The Black Knights will face the Colgate Raiders in the final. Colgate prevailed in the second semifinal against Lehigh. That match kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m.