Triumph: Women win two over the weekend
LC takes down 'Nova, American in weekend homestand
Pete Theis
Issue date: 9/23/08 Section: Sports
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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.
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