Due to Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili, the Loyola soccer team played only two games in the past three weeks.
But the weather has not been a total distraction, as Loyola (4-5-1) won both matches in convincing fashion.
“It is very frustrating to have matches cancelled due to the weather,” Head Coach Emmy Therrell said. “We were looking forward to our trip to Tennessee (Sept. 28) but had to cancel it because of Isidore.
Then last Sunday Wesleyan (Ga.) canceled for fear that Louisiana would be flooded. That was unfortunate because we could have played the game. Also, the storms have taken away a lot of practice time because the university has been closed. Hopefully the time off hasn’t taken away from our fitness.”
The canceled games were Sept. 28 against Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, Sept. 29 against Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, and Oct. 6 against Wesleyan (GA) at the ‘Fly.
Loyola won its third game of the season with a 4-0 win against Marian on Sept. 22 in a downpour. The game was delayed for 15 minutes and the team waited in cars until the storm subsided.
When the weather calmed a little, the match was started but the rain was far from over. The team, not bothered by the sloppy conditions, used its superior strength and quickness to control the ball and maintain possession for most of the match.
Despite the excellent play of Marian keeper Sara Jesuit, Loyola was able to push four goals past her. Co-captain Lisa Lester, communications senior, started the scoring in the 26th minute by driving a powerful shot in traffic off a defender and into the goal. One minute later, co-captain Anna Weldon, education senior, and Gigi Alford, communications sophomore, created a 2 on 1 with the keeper.
After a bit of confusion as to who would take the shot, Alford passed the ball to Weldon, who drove it into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, the team scored two goals on beautiful combination plays involving crosses. Co-captain Clare Springer, biology junior, scored on the first one and made the cross to Alford, who finished off the second combination in the 85th minute. The defense held Marian to a mere five shots on goal.
“The Marian game was even more fun because we had lost three games in a row. We needed that kind of adrenaline that scoring goals gives you. Plus, we had fun playing and winning in the rain. And, we deserved to win,” Therrell said.
Adding on the success of the Marian win, Loyola defeated Louisiana College 5-0 on Oct. 1. But the ‘Pack did not start the game well.
The team was overconfident due to a 3-0 victory earlier in the season. After 30 minutes of playing kick ball, the team settled down and took control of the match.
Political science freshman Marina Meza dominated with two goals in the first half and an assist in the second half. She came off the bench in the 30th minute and scored her first goal seven minutes later off a header.
Five minutes later, Meza added another goal off a cross from Alford. In the second half, she assisted Lisa Handschumacher, biology junior, for a goal struck from the top of the 18-yard box. Ava Coleman and Anna Weldon rounded out the scoring later in the second half. Once again the defense held the opposing team to five shots on goal.
“Marina’s play was a huge step forward to the way we should be playing with her intensity and execution when she came in the game,” Therrell said. “She gave us a huge lift and set the pace for the rest of the game.”
Now, the team takes its two- game winning streak on a trip to Washington D.C. Therrell said that the team members plan to make part of the trip educational. They will visit the Washington Monument, the Library of Congress, and other historical sites.
In between sightseeing, the team will take on Gallaudet on Saturday at 11 a.m. On Sun., the ‘Pack will do battle with Columbia Union at 6 p.m.”The team is ready to get back to soccer. During midterms, they have to balance soccer and studying. The hurricane gave them a chance to organize studying and get plenty of rest,” Therrell said.
