CHICAGO – The Missouri State women's soccer team used a valiant defensive effort to battle Loyola to a scoreless draw on Saturday afternoon at the Loyola Soccer Park. Goalkeeper Katherine Montgomery highlighted Missouri State as she collected a career-high 11 saves in 110 minutes of action.
 
"It was a great team effort today," head coach Rob Brewer said. "Katherine and our defense was great today. I am proud of the way our girls battled and hung in there. They put a lot of pressure on us, and we stayed tough throughout the match. It feels good to be the first team this season to get a point on Loyola in the MVC standings."
 
It marked the second straight season that the Bears (4-5-4, 1-2-1 MVC) had tied the Ramblers (8-2-2, 4-0-1 MVC) as the two teams battled to a scoreless draw in their prior matchup on Feb. 28, 2021.
 
Montgomery eclipsed her prior career-high of eight, which she set during matches against Saint Louis on Sept. 9 and last season's match with Loyola. The shutout was her fifth of the season. Her 11 saves were the most by a Missouri State goalkeeper since Kaitlin Maxwell's 11 on Sept. 9, 2018.
 
The Geneva, Ill., product has been a thorn in the Ramblers' side in the Bears' last two contests with them, having combined for 20 saves and no goals allowed.

Overall, Loyola had advantages in shots (37-2) and shots on goal (12-0), and corner kicks (21-0). All of which were the most Missouri State has faced this season.
Kennady Orlick and Kara Privitera accounted for the Bears' two shots on goal, with Orlick's coming in the eighth minute and Privitera's in the 87^th minute.
 
The Bears return home to face UNI on Oct. 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and the match will be broadcast on either ESPN+ or ESPN3. Admission is free to all games at Allison South Stadium this season.