WORCESTER, Mass. — Loyola University Maryland scored twice in each half and answered a second-half rally by Holy Cross with two goals of its own to pull away for a 4-2 victory Saturday.
Edwin Espinal-Elvir, Ben Schouten, Tyler Flynn and Lukas Cortes each scored for the Greyhounds, who built a 2-0 lead before Holy Cross twice pulled within a goal. Loyola responded each time, including a pair of goals in a span of less than six minutes in the second half.
Espinal-Elvir opened the scoring in the 12th minute, finishing a combination from Omar Alexander Medrano and Cortes. Schouten doubled the lead in the 23rd minute when he converted a pass from Cortes.
Holy Cross cut the deficit to 2-1 just before halftime when Jeb Snead scored an unassisted goal in the 45th minute.
The Crusaders tied the match in the 53rd minute on James Ferraro's first goal of the season, assisted by Wade Johnson.
Loyola responded quickly.
Flynn restored the Greyhounds' lead in the 57th minute, taking a pass from Espinal-Elvir and putting Loyola ahead 3-2. Cortes then added an insurance goal in the 63rd minute, scoring unassisted to give the Greyhounds a two-goal cushion.
Loyola goalkeeper Felix Huebner made one save while earning the victory. Holy Cross goalkeeper Caleb Klepacz also made one save but was charged with the loss.
Holy Cross finished with a 14-6 advantage in shots, but Loyola put five of its six attempts on target. The Greyhounds also earned four corner kicks and held Holy Cross without a goal during the final 28 minutes.
The victory moved Loyola to 2-7-1 overall and 1-1-1 in Patriot League play. Holy Cross fell to 1-4-5 and 0-1-2.
