BALTIMORE – It was another milestone-filled season for Loyola University Maryland's women's soccer program this fall, as the Greyhounds posted their highest-ever finish in the Patriot League standings while returning to the conference tournament for a third-straight year.
Loyola earned a result in 8 of 9 Patriot League matches, ultimately finishing third out of 10 schools in the conference with a 5-1-3 record. The Greyhounds' 18 points were just two back of first place, and it was five points above the program's previous Patriot League high of 13.
"We are proud of the season we had, challenging ourselves with a very competitive preseason and non-conference schedule and then performing well in league play," head coach
Joe Mallia said. "We had a chance to finish first in the Patriot League standings heading into the regular season finale. That is where we want to be every year, competing for both regular season and tournament titles."
One of just two teams to reach the conference tournament in each of the last three seasons since Mallia's return to the program, Loyola's 41 points (11-4-8) during that span are second behind only Navy in the Patriot League standings. The Greyhounds also competed throughout a challenging non-conference schedule this fall, posting their most wins (8) in a season since 2012.
Seven of Loyola's eight victories came via shutout, and junior
Paige Sim was honored as the program's first Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year after leading the conference in both goals-against average (0.95) and save percentage (.809). Offensively, Loyola received contributions from a large portion of the roster, with 17 different players recording at least one point on the year.
The Greyhounds' continued excellence in the classroom was also recognized, as they led the conference with three selections (Sim,
Sarah Bayer,
Chloe Kuminkoski) to the Academic All-Patriot League team. A total of 17 Greyhounds posted a GPA over 3.60 during the most-recent spring semester, with six managing perfect 4.0 GPA's.
"We are pleased overall with the progress we've made as a program," Mallia said. "However, we are going to keep working hard to achieve even more both on and off the field."
