BALTIMORE – Loyola University Maryland men's soccer put consistent pressure on visiting Saint Joseph's on Friday night, but the Greyhounds' 17-10 advantage in shots did not materialize into a goal as the teams played to a 0-0 non-conference draw at Ridley Athletic Complex.
Loyola's first three shots were on goal and saved by the Hawks' Lars Haavie as
Charlie Herley,
Seth Powder and
Brandon Meminger all took attempts for the Greyhounds.
The Greyhounds (0-2-2 overall) kept up the offensive pressure over the next 20 minutes with
Caden Stafford and
Richie Nichols each taking shots on free kicks that went just over the crossbar in the 20
th and 28
th minutes.
Not long after Nichols' attempt was off frame, Saint Joseph's had its most dangerous chance of the first half. Tommaso Rossetto took a shot from inside 18 yards that Dylan van der Walt made a deflecting save against. The ball ricocheted back to Rossetto who one-timed a second shot that went wide left to preserve the tie.
Loyola opened the second half with renewed offensive intensity led by shots from Stafford. He took attempts from the top of the box through traffic in the 47
th and 49
th minutes that Haavie was forced to make diving saves to repel.
Van der Walt came up with a pair of saves against Matteo Mazzotta and Rossetto in the 53
rd and 57
th mintues to keep the score level, as well.
Over the last 35 minutes of the game, Stafford, Nichols and
Sean McEvoy had two chances each but nne found the net.
McEvoy nearly broke through with less than a minute to play as his first shot from the right side was blocked. He gathered the rebound and struck a hard shot that was saved by Haavie.
Haavie ended with six saves for the Hawks, and van der Walt had three.
Loyola will be back in action on September 10 in a 7 p.m. game at No. 2-ranked Clemson.
