Early Goal Lifts Army Past Loyola

Sunday, October 1

West Point

2 p.m.

Army West Point

3-8-1, 1-3-0PL

Loyola

2-9-0, 0-4-0PL

LOYOLA

Army West Point

Early Goal Lifts Army Past Loyola

October 01, 2017 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Firstie Lauren McGovern scored the first goal of her career in the sixth minute to give the Army West Point women's soccer team a 1-0 victory over Loyola on Sunday at Clinton Field.

The Black Knights improved to 3-8-1 on the year and 1-3-0 in the Patriot League, while the Greyhounds fell to 2-9-0 overall and 0-4-0 in league play.

Army captured an early lead just six minutes into the contest when a corner kick from rookie Emily Torres found firstie co-captain Clare Shea in the middle of the box. The Allendale, N.J., native flicked it forward for Lauren McGovern whose diving header found the twine to take the lead.

Rookie goalkeeper Sydney Cassalia came up with a big save in the 31st minute to keep the Black Knights ahead. The Omaha, Neb., native saw a Loyola cross from the right go to the far side where Mary Corcoran got a head on it, but Cassalia got her hands on the shot to not only prevent the goal but also any rebound opportunities.

Army held a 4-3 edge in shots and 2-1 on goal through the first 45 minutes of play, in addition to a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.

The Black Knights continued their offensive attack in the second half when rookie defender Grace Blackwell saw an opening in the 52nd minute and maneuvered through the Loyola defense to got a good look at goal for her shot. Fellow first-year Lizzie Harper saw her shot from the edge of the box ring off the crossbar in the 63rd minute as she nearly scored her second goal of the year.

McGovern made her best attempt to increase Army's lead to two goals in the 64th minute of action. She sent a bicycle kick from the left side of the box across the net past the diving keeper, but the shot was headed away by defender Nicole Rivas at the goal line to prevent the score.

Loyola went on the attack after that, posting a sequence of three close-range shots in the 72nd minute. The initial header was saved by Cassalia before a blocked shot allowed her to make her second save in a matter of seconds. The Greyhounds provided another scare five minutes later when Blackwell came up with a big save on the goal line to keep them off the board.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Army is now 2-1-1 in the all-time series with Loyola, dating back to 2013.
The Black Knights snapped a 509:23 scoreless drought.
This was Army's first Patriot League win of the season.
McGovern netted the first goal of her career.
Shea dished out her team-leading third assist of the season.
Torres recorded the first point of her career with the assist.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Army took an early lead at 5:41 when a corner kick from Emily Torres found Clare Shea in the middle of the box. She sent the ball forward for McGovern who headed in the game's first goal.

UP NEXT
The Black Knights travel to Bucknell on Saturday for a 2 p.m. kickoff.