Aug. 31, 2007

Box Score

Princeton, N.J. - Freshman Phil Bannister scored one goal and assisted on another as the Greyhounds opened the 2007 season with a 2-1 win at Princeton on Friday night. Loyola, which started four true freshmen, got both goals from first-year players to begin the year with a 1-0 record.

A scoreless first half that was not without chances featured strong play from Loyola keeper Milos Kocic. The sophomore starter registered four saves in the half, keeping the game scoreless with aggressive play in the box.

Loyola's most promising first-half scoring opportunity came in the 25th minute when a counter started by freshman Eddie Dines ended with an untouched cross from sophomore Jamie Darvill.

The Greyhounds were a bit more unlucky in the second half, when an own goal at 48:55 broke the scoreless tie. The score did not phase the Loyola freshmen, however, who came right back with an impressive flurry sparked by Phil Bannister.

Bannister put a shot on goal in the 52nd minute that was deflected to Dines, who was trailing the play. Dines converted the putback to even the game at 1-1.

In the very next minute, it was Bannister who created open space for himself, and his left-footed strike from 15 yards out was strong enough to beat the Princeton keeper who had overcommitted on the play.

Loyola nearly scored its third goal of the night when Darvill tapped in what appeared to be an empty-netter in the 71st minute. A nice team save by the Tigers, however, kept the deficit and final margin at one.

The Greyhounds return to action this Sunday at Fordham. Game time is 1 p.m. from the Bronx.