WHITEWATER, Wis. (Duhawks.com) - The Loras women's soccer team made its return to the NCAA Tournament on Saturday and left a statement on the pitch, handing No. 20 St. Thomas a 1-nil loss. Junior
Lauren Bolnius headed home the winner in the 20th minute on an assist from junior
Gretchen Schutz. Senior
Maria Siebels posted four saves to earn her 10th clean sheet of the season. The Duhawks advance to the second round where they will face No. 7 UW-Whitewater.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
First Half
- Despite not registering a shot on goal until the 20th minute, Loras set the tone and maintained possession in the attacking third from the opening whistle.
- In the 12th minute, Bolnius nearly put her side in front with a shot on the doorstep, only to be denied by the post.
- Following a St. Thomas goal kick, the Duhawks won possession to keep it in the Tommies' zone. Sophomore Elizabeth Mills slid a pass into the feet of Schutz who pushed past her mark and delivered a service to the far post, connecting with Bolnius who directed her head back across goal.
- The jubilation from scoring kept Loras moving forward but at the same time, woke up the Tommies, who outshot the Duhawks 4-0 in the next 10 minutes.
- In the 34th minute, junior Sydney Wright broke free from her mark and found herself with possession and a wide open pitch in front of her. Wright dribbled to the top of the box and ripped a shot on goal that was saved.
- After drawing a foul from St. Thomas, Schutz pinged her free kick off the crossbar in the 38th minute.
- Loras utilized the advantage from the wind in the opening half, controlling the air and keep much of the possession in the Tommies' half.
Second Half
- It took five minutes before either side registered any action, opening with a corner kick from Schutz in the 51st minute.
- On the set piece, both junior Alexis O'Neill and Mills had their shots blocked before the Tommies cleared the ball away from danger.
- In the 53rd minute, Siebels denied a shot attempt from Brie Bourdage for St. Thomas.
- Looking for the insurance tally, Loras continued to test Tarynn Theilig with shots on goal, but the senior goalkeeper was up to the task and kept the Duhawks from adding to their lead.
- Loras failed to clear the ball after a St. Thomas free kick resulting in possession for the Tommies' Paige Elming at the top of the box. Elming brought it down and slid to her left before striking a low shot to the near post, forcing a diving save from Siebels.
- The final minutes saw St. Thomas throw everything they could towards goal, but Siebels in conjunction with her defensive corps denied any and all opportunities to score.
- In the final minute of play, the Tommies lifted a ball to the six and Siebels collided, resulting in a loose ball in the box, but the shot attempt from Mallory DeBoom sailed high and out of play.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Hanna Burgmeier | The senior marking back made her presence felt all night long, disrupting any offensive flow that St. Thomas attempted to create. Her primary target for the evening, Mallory DeBoom, was limited to three shots total and one on target.
UP NEXT
Loras advances to face No. 7 UW-Whitewater in Sunday's NCAA Regional Final. In the regular season meeting, the Warhawks tallied a late goal to win 3-2. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
