BALTIMORE – Loyola University Maryland women's soccer scored three goals in the opening 27:15, ultimately posting a 3-1 victory over American on Wednesday night to continue the team's best Patriot League start since 2015.

Hannah Hoefs provided the opener on a penalty kick in the 15th minute, while Sarah Bayer and an own goal rounded out the scoring for the Greyhounds (5-5-1, 2-0-1 Patriot League). Emily Smith had the lone tally for American (4-6-1, 0-2-1 Patriot League) with two seconds remaining in the first half.

Loyola is off to its best conference start since posting an identical 2-0-1 record through three games in 2015. That team, the last to qualify for postseason play, went on to advance to the Patriot League semifinals.

Hoefs had a goal and an assist in the victory, upping her conference-leading points total to 15 (6 G, 3 A) on the year. The three-point game was her third of the season.

The Greyhounds' second goal came only 2:18 after the first. Hoefs found Kaleigh Gallagher on the right side to begin the play, and Gallagher sent a pass into the box which Bayer directed into the lower left corner.

Bayer (4 G, 2 A), who has already surpassed her points total from last year, scored for a second-straight game, while Gallagher picked up her first assist of 2019.

Gallagher was the main initiator of the home side's final goal as well, firing a cross into the box which an American sent into the back of the net in the 28th minute. Loyola's three first-half goals were its most against a Patriot League opponent since Oct. 24, 2015 at Colgate.

The Greyhounds backline limited American to just two shots on goal in the contest. Paige Sim made one save to improve to 4-0-1 in her debut collegiate season.

Loyola looks to keep its momentum going on Saturday afternoon, traveling to Boston University for a Patriot League tilt beginning at 1 p.m.