Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
5-6-3, 2-2-1
Loyola
9-3-0, 4-1-0
Women's Soccer Beats Loyola 2-0 to Earn Fifth Straight Home Victory
October 06, 2023 | Women's Soccer
WEST POINT, NY - Army West Point women's soccer (5-6-3, 2-2-1) picked up a valuable three points with a 2-0 victory over Loyola Maryland (9-3-0, 4-1-0) at Malek Stadium on Friday evening.
Brigid Duffy and Kaitlin Palaian supplied the goals for the Black Knights in the second half, with Sage Strohman recording her fifth shutout of the season and 15th of her career while making three saves.
The Black Knights were able to put an end to a seven-game winning streak from the Greyhounds, who had allowed just one goal in four Patriot League contests entering play while boasting an unblemished 4-0-0 record in the conference.
Entering the contest 12-1-2 across the past two seasons at Malek Stadium, Army continued its dominant play at home in the first half. The Greyhounds were held to just one shot attempt through the opening 45, as Army fired off seven. Cami Silvestro was able to put a pair of long-range efforts on target, which were saved by Paige Sim. The sides went into the half in a scoreless draw.
The Black Knights were able to find a breakthrough less than three minutes into the second half, following a corner won by Kaelan Bradley. Cami Silvestro whipped the corner kick into the box, with Sim punching away. Brigid Duffy was first to the ball at the edge of the box, firing a rocket into the top left corner on the half-volley. The goal marked Duffy's fifth of the season, which now ranks second in the Patriot League.
Army continued to limit the opportunities for the road side, with Loyola recording just one shot on goal in the opening 75 minutes. In the 67th minute, Madison Nichols won the ball in the midfield, laying off a pass to Madison Niebish in stride. Niebish marauded forward after beating her defender, getting into the box before laying off a perfect pass to Kaitlin Palaian who slotted home to double the Army lead.
Army protected its lead through the final 20 minutes, with Strohman making a pair of saves to keep Loyola off the board and the hopes of a comeback at bay. Duffy saw another late shot saved, as Army eventually outshot the Greyhounds 15-4. The Black Knights were able to move to 5-1 at home on the season with the victory, logging their fifth clean sheet of the campaign.
Team Stats
Brigid Duffy (5)
GOAL by Army Duffy, Brigid.
47:34
Kaitlin Palaian (4)
Assisted By: Madison Niebish
GOAL by Army Palaian, Kaitlin Assist by Niebish, Madison.
66:42
