Triumph: Women win two over the weekend

By Pete Theis Staff Writer

Defense was the theme of the weekend for the Loyola women's soccer team, who recorded their first two victories of the season in a weekend series at Diane Geppi-Aikens Field. Two days after the Greyhounds clawed their way past Villanova, 2-1, Loyola completed their successful homestand by pitching a 1-0 shutout against American. With the victories, the squad improved to 2-5-2 on the season.

"It was really great to be able to close out the weekend games with two wins and close out our non-conference schedule on such a positive note," coach Katherine Vettori said. "Being able to win two games in a row like this will only continue to boost our confidence heading into the MAAC play."

In the first half of Sunday's game, neither side could get into a rhythm on offense. But in the 40th minute, an American player knocked the ball past the endline deep in her own territory, setting up a corner kick for senior Theresa Ferraina. The Hounds' lightning-quick midfielder, known for her ball control, showed her touch when she sent the ball to the far post and bent it in to give Loyola a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

The Eagles, who didn't even get a shot off in the first half, attempted to put more pressure on the Loyola defense in the second half. The Greyhounds, however, playing Vettori's "team defense," were able to prevent the visitors from putting any pressure on junior goalkeeper Brittany Henderson. By the end of the game, the defense, behind senior co-captain Sarra Moeller and Henderson, allowed American a total of two shots.

After finding a way to work together in closing out games, Loyola will take their two-game steak into the MAAC portion of their schedule.

"Going into the MAAC it will be difficult. There will be no easy games; no easy teams," Vettori said.

On Friday, the Hounds played a similar style in their win over Villanova. Pitted against former Loyola coach John Byford, the Greyhounds muscled their way past the No. 28 Wildcats on an overcast afternoon. The Greyhounds converted on two well-executed set plays and used a last-second save from Henderson to seal a 2-1 victory. The win moved Loyola into the win column for the first time this season.

"I am really happy for the players right now," Vettori said. "They have been working very hard lately, and especially to have had some unlucky results early and finally to come out on top makes this a great victory for the team. We are starting to really come together as a team."

Loyola got things started early when junior Christina Gomez took a direct kick from outside the top of the box and bent it in near the top right corner of the net. Villanova goalkeeper Leann Kania got a hand on the ball but could not stop it from deflecting off of the top of the crossbar, whereupon it found the net. The goal came just under three minutes into the match, setting a tone for the game's emotional and physical play.

Villanova went on the attack for most of the first half, but the Wildcats missed opportunities on corner kicks and shots that went just wide or over the crossbar. Henderson, who finished with four saves, stood stout during Villanova's early charge.

In the second half, after a series of Loyola fouls, Villanova was given a direct kick from 40 yards out. Amy Greco then flew in past the Loyola defenders and put a header on the ball, sending it past Henderson and into the right side of the goal, evening the score 1-1.

Villanova almost added another tally when Henderson came out of the box and brought a Wildcat player to the ground after receiving a yellow card. Loyola's wall successfully blocked the ensuing shot, but on the rebound, the Wildcats had another opportunity, but Henderson came up with another save.

As witnessed by the relentless offensive attacks and the stout defense, both teams played with reckless abandon. Bodies were falling to the turf and hands and elbows were being thrown.

"This was a very physical game," Vettori said. "But it was a major improvement to see that we didn't back down when the game got more aggressive."

As the teams fought for possession, they missed chances to give their respective squads a lead. Senior Theresa Ferraina's attempt to score was deterred after as she took the ball up the right side of the field only to have a Villanova defender knock it out of play.

But just when it looked as if both teams had exhausted their offenses, the Greyhounds connected on a textbook play that was executed to perfection. Sophomore Lina Staropoli struck a perfect corner that bent in from the end line toward the near post. Senior Kristina Balfoort leaped up from a mass of defenders and headed the ball past Kania, giving the Hounds a 2-1 advantage.

"It all started off with Joie's [McLaughlin's] hard work to get the corner for us. Then Lina made a great kick and I just wanted to win the battle for the header, and do whatever it took to get the ball," Balfoort said. "We felt like we had something to prove in this game."

With the Wildcats desperately trying to get a shot on goal, Loyola stepped up their defensive pressure, preventing Villanova from tying things up. But with just 10 seconds remaining, Villanova had one last corner that was initially knocked out of the six-yard box. But Erin Ryan's rebound shot was placed right on goal, where Henderson made a diving punch at the ball, sending it over the crossbar and giving Loyola their first victory.

"This was a really hard fought battle. As a captain I couldn't ask for anything more from this team," senior Sarra Moller said. "This win was great because after beating a ranked opponent we feel that no matter who we play we are capable of coming out on top."

Vettori echoed Moller's comments: "We have seen these games go the other way this season," Vettori said. "To play the No. 28 team in the nation, and to play them until the very last second of the game, it shows how much fight we have."

The Greyhounds open their MAAC play on Friday afternoon against Iona at Geppi-Aikens Field.