Loyola Maryland women’s soccer drops matchup to Monmouth

BALTIMORE (Via Loyola University Maryland) – In a match that was rescheduled for Tuesday morning due to lightning delays the night before, Monmouth University returned to Ridley Athletic Complex and defeated the Loyola University Maryland women’s soccer team, 2-0.

Loyola falls to 0-2-0 in the season, while the Hawks improve to 2-0-0 in the first week of action.

Within a two-and-a-half minute period, Monmouth created five scoring opportunities, finding the back of the net in the 17th minute. Sophie Centi struck a long cross to the center of the box, where Erica Murphy headed the pass into the back-right corner of the goal.

During the same time period, graduate student Colleen Folan made five saves, tacking on a diving save in the 38th minute.

Monmouth added an insurance goal in the 63rd minute, as Rachael Ivanicki chipped a shot into the box and over the head of Folan.

Despite Monmouth’s second half goal, Loyola showed offensive resilience in the final 45 minutes, recording six of the team’s 11 total shots.

The Greyhounds dominated 50/50 balls in the first 15 minutes of the second stanza, creating a number of scoring opportunities, including sophomore Alyssa Bonnesen’s shot just 42 second following the conclusion halftime.

Loyola had four freshmen make their debuts as Greyhounds in the game, including Lexy Andrews, Sarah Ensor, Cassidy Griffith and Jourdan Ziff.

The Greyhounds return to action on Friday, Aug. 28, taking on Temple University, a team that is ranked 10th in the Northeast Region of the National Soccer Coaches Association Poll. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m., at the Owls’ Ambler Sports Complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.