Women's Soccer Returns to Action at VCU on Thursday Night

The Greyhounds celebrate Hannah Hoefs' opening goal on Sunday.

Match Information
Opponent	VCU Rams
Date	Thursday, August 29, 2019
Time	7:00 p.m.
Location	Richmond, Va. \| Sports Backers Stadium
Watch Online	ESPN+
Online Media	Live Stats
Follow Us	Facebook \| Twitter \| Instagram
Game Notes	Loyola

Quick Hits About The 'Hounds

After an overtime win vs. Seton Hall in its season opener over the weekend, Loyola travels to Richmond, Va., for its first road game of the season at VCU on Thursday night.
So. F Sarah Bayer (Offensive Player of the Week) and Sr. M Hannah Hoefs (Midfielder of the Week) were each honored by the Patriot League on Monday. Both received their second-career weekly awards.
Joe Mallia begins his second stint as Loyola head coach this fall after previously leading the program from 1998-2004. The all-time winningest coach in team history, he is 88-45-8 at Loyola following Sunday's victory. Mallia won conference championships in five of seven seasons during his first tenure as head coach.

Last Time Out

Sarah Bayer's first goal of 2019 was a memorable one, as she fired in the game-winner 5:49 into overtime to lift Loyola to a 2-1 home victory over Seton Hall on Sunday.
So. M Ariel Tillman had the primary assist on the winning tally, as she maneuvered around two defenders and found Bayer on the left side of goal. Bayer than spun around a defender of her own before sending a low shot into the right-hand corner.
Hannah Hoefs added a goal and an assist for the Greyhounds, tying the score on a curling free kick from 22 yards out in the 39th minute. She has totaled three goals and three assists in Loyola's last three games dating back to 2018.
Tillman's assist was the first point of her collegiate career.
Sr. GK Lily Andres made three saves to earn her first win since Oct. 29, 2016.

Series History

This will be the third meeting between the two teams, with VCU earning 3-0 victories during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Loyola takes on an Atlantic 10 opponent for the first time since a Sept. 7, 2014 home matchup against Saint Joseph's (L, 1-0).
Loyola's last win over an A-10 team was a 3-2, double overtime victory over Saint Joseph's on Sept. 16, 2012.

About The Rams

VCU topped Longwood (5-1) and High Point (1-0) in a pair of road contests to begin the 2019 season. So. F Idelys Vazquez scored twice in Sunday's win at Longwood, while R-Jr. M Emma Kershner provided the game-winner at High Point last Thursday.
The Rams went 16-4 (9-1) last season, ranking second out of 14 schools in the Atlantic 10 regular season standings.
VCU has advanced to the A-10 championship game in each of the last two seasons, falling 5-1 to Saint Louis in 2018 and suffering a 1-0 setback to La Salle in 2017.
VCU won its final eight home games to conclude the 2018 season (8-1 overall).

Tillman Impressive Off the Bench

So. M Ariel Tillman was an active contributor to Loyola's attack throughout Sunday's victory. In addition to her game-winning assist, she came within inches of her first collegiate goal midway through the second half. Tillman's 74th minute strike was deflected off the post by Seton Hall GK Harpa Johannsdottir, bouncing back in front before ultimately landing in the goalkeeper's arms.
Tillman's two shots on Sunday matched a career high.

Greyhound Debuts

Two Loyola freshmen made their collegiate debuts over the weekend, with Lea Kristjánsdóttir and Arín Sigfúsdóttir each contributing to the Greyhounds' season-opening victory. Kristjánsdóttir was the lone newcomer to crack the Starting XI on Sunday.

Players Mentioned