Illinois State (11-5, 4-1 MVC) dropped a 4-1 match to Missouri Valley Conference opponent Loyola Chicago (10-4-1, 5-0 MVC) at Adelaide Street Field, putting an end to the program record-tying nine-match winning streak on Sunday afternoon. The Ramblers remain the only unbeaten team in MVC play while the Redbirds drop to 4-1 in conference. Sophomore Sarah Ochitwa scored the lone goal for the Redbirds, tallying her first collegiate goal in the 73rd minute.
"Loyola was sharper today and that's all there is to it," said head coach Brad Silvey. "Our team is capable of producing and giving more and I'm hoping that moving forward we have a much better response. To go for the lengthy stretch that we did not conceding any goals and then to give up four in one game is hard to see, but I am confident that our team will bounce back from this."
A fifth-minute goal from Rambler senior Sienna Cruz put the 'Birds behind from virtually the start of the match. Cruz's twin sister, Savanah, assisted on her second goal of the year.
Loyola took the 1-0 lead into halftime, outshooting the Redbirds, 12-6, and posting an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks through the first 45 minutes of play.
The Ramblers tallied goals in the 53rd and 58th minutes to bring the score line to 3-0. Graduate transfer Simone Wark and senior Aleksa Tataryn were the goal scorers as freshman forward Megan Nemec assisted on both goals.
Ochitwa got one back for the Redbirds, subbing in during the 64th minute and then scoring less than 10 minutes later to bring the score to 3-1. It was Ochitwa's first goal of her Illinois State career after sitting out the previous two seasons to injury and making her debut earlier this season.
"That was a very special moment for both Sarah and the team," said Silvey. "The adversity, challenges and setbacks that she's had to overcome to get back on the field is inspiring, and to remain an integral part of the team and score in a game like this is very special."
Loyola's Wark would add a second goal in the 87th minute to round out the scoring for the day at 4-1. The Ramblers finished the match outshooting the Redbirds, 19-14, despite Illinois State posting nine shots on goal to Loyola's six.
Senior goalkeeper Haley Smith collected two saves off of 19 shots faced. Smith, junior Ashley Santos, and senior center back Megan McEachern all went the full 90 minutes for the Redbirds.
Promotions
As part of Sunday's 'Tackle Cancer with Redbird Soccer' fundraising promotion, $576 will be donated to the Community Cancer Center ($1 for each fan in attendance).
Up Next:
The Redbirds will flock to Springfield, Missouri, to take on the Missouri State Bears in conference play on Friday, Oct. 25 at 5 p.m.
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