Rogers Park and Edgewater soccer fans might want to circle Friday, Nov. 2. That’s when the top-seeded Loyola University women’s team will take the field at the corner of Hoyne and Devon, opening the Missouri Valley Conference championship tournament as the top seed.
Loyola clinched its first-ever regular-season top finish, with a 6-1 win over Evansville Thursday.
“It’s a great step forward for the program,” head coach Barry Bimbi said. “I think we were in a different position this year, playing every game with a target on (our) back, but the administration had faith in us and our girls they did a tremendous job.”
Thursday’s game, held at the school’s soccer field at 6336 N. Hoyne, started fast for the Ramblers.
“They put on pressure early,” said Loyola student Tyler Sisko, who was at the game. “That’s why they are winning.”
Madison Kimball notched a hat trick for Loyola, with three goals. Eleni Carr, Bella Lestina, and Sienna Cruz, scored one goal each. Maggie Leazer scored the lone goal for Evansville.
Loyola fan Holly Rolloff, aunt of the team’s goalkeeper, Maddie Hausmann, said she’s proud of what the team has accomplished this year.
“It’s a big one tonight for sure,” she said. “We are seeing history”.
The win earned Loyola a first-round bye in the MVC tournament. The team’s first tournament game will be Nov. 2, at the Loyola Soccer Field.
Loyola’s Soccer Field at the corner of Devon Avenue and N. Hoyne Avenue
