Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. – Daniel Tshiani scored in the first half for Loyola University Maryland, but American University equalized before the break, and a scoreless second frame saw the Patriot League contest play to a 1-1 draw at Reeves Field on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The teams were ranked first (Loyola) and second (American) in the Patriot League preseason poll, and the even match showed that the sides were closely matched.
 
Tshiani drew a penalty kick in the game's 32^nd minute, and he then converted with a low, hard shot to put the Greyhounds on top, 1-0.
 
Alex Bobocea and the Loyola defense kept the Greyhounds in front over the next several minutes with a pair of tough stops on American shots.
 
The first American opportunity came on a flurry of action where Marco Bla saved a shot off the line, and the rebounded shot was then saved at point-blank range by Bobocea just over a minute after Tshiani's goal.
 
Bobocea was tested again in the 37^th minute when a shot from the top-right of the box came with pace, but he pushed it over the cross bar to concede a corner kick but keep American off the board.
 
Thomas Gray nearly made it 2-0 Loyola when he took a deep shot, from more than 30 yards out. It had pace and cleared the goalkeeper's hands, but it went off the cross bar to deny the score.
 
The Eagles broke through, however, with 15 ticks left on the clock in the first half. Jack Green crossed a ball from the deep left side to Troy Elgersma who headed it home to level the score at 1-1.
 
With just over six minutes left in the game, American drew a free kick from less than 25 yards at the top of the box. Bobocea made a diving save on a low, hard shot by Ethan Boyle to deflect it from the goal.
 
Loyola looked to take the lead in the last two minutes when Kelan Swales served a free kick to the right side of the 18 where it was headed toward the goal, but a Loyola player was deemed offside to stop the play.
 
American nearly put in a last-second goal as Zemi Rodriguez rip from the top of the box hit the crossbar and ricocheted out into the field with less than five seconds left in regulation.
 
Loyola returns to Ridley Athletic Complex on Saturday, October 1, to continue Patriot League matches with a 1 p.m. contest against Colgate University.