Missouri State University
Loyola
Ramblers End Bears MVC Tournament Run Early
November 11, 2015 | Men's Soccer
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - The No. 4 seeded Missouri State men's soccer team (6-6-5) fell 1-0 to the No. 5 seeded Loyola Ramblers (10-4-4) in the quarterfinal battle at Korte Stadium here Wednesday afternoon.
It was a dismal day with wind gusts over 20 mph. The first half began with Loyola maintaining possession of the ball. In the 15th minute of the match, the first scoring opportunity opened up for the Ramblers, with a header sailing past MSU's goalkeeper Liam Priestley. The goal was called off due to an offsides call on Loyola.
In the 33rd minute, Scott Midgley had the best look of the half for the Bears. With some assistance from the wind, Midgley launched the ball from 30 yards out over the crowd of Ramblers and Bears in the box, but it was Loyola's goalkeeper, Tim Dobrowolski that came up with the save.
The second half began and the momentum quickly changed for the Bears, taking most of the possession time. The rain began to fall as soon as the whistle blew to begin the half. In tough weather conditions, the Bears pushed towards the Ramblers' goal, with MSU's Jake Buckle taking the first shot of the half and sending it just high of the crossbar.
Loyola had two scoring opportunities within seconds of each other in the 55th minute of the match, as a Rambler fired a shot from six yards out and a MSU defender jumped in front blocking the shot. The shot was deflected straight to Loyola's Brody Kraussel, who felt the pressure of the Bears' defense and sent the ball wide of the goal.
The lone goal for the Ramblers came in the 84th minute of the match, as Fabian Lifka took a free kick for Loyola 30 yards out close to the team bench. The MSU defense looked to have the advantage but the ball snuck past Priestley to give the Ramblers the 1-0 advantage.
MSU senior James Thomas had the last shot opportunity for the Bears, off a free kick for the Bears. The wind carried the ball to the left side of the box, as Thomas attempted a bicycle kick with less than 30 seconds left. The Bears were unable to convert and fell in the quarterfinal match for the first time since the 2007 season.
On Sunday, the MVC All-Tournament Team will be announced while the All-MVC team and All-Freshman squad will be presented Thursday night at the annual awards banquet. MSU anticipates honorees on both squads.
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