EVANSVILLE - In its second leg of back-to-back home matches, the University of Evansville women's soccer team welcomes in Loyola Chicago for a 4 PM match on Wednesday afternoon at Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville.
 

Evansville vs. Loyola Chicago | Wed., Sept. 29 | 4 PM
Date | Time	Wed., Sept. 29 | 4 PM
Location	Evansville, Ind.
Site	Arad McCutchan Stadium
Wed., Sept. 29	Evansville vs. Loyola Chicago
Follow Along	Live Stats | ESPN+
Evansville	Women's Soccer Home Page | Twitter | Game Notes

Last Match: Evansville 1, Drake 1 (2OT)

• Falling a goal behind in the second half, the University of Evansville women's soccer team scored late and held strong defensively to earn a 1-1 draw with Drake on Saturday afternoon at Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville.
• Seniors Emily Wolak and Alex Eyler played crucial parts in Evansville's comeback, scoring the goal and providing the assist on the equalizing goal in the 81st minute. Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Michaela Till played strong between the posts, recording six saves in the draw.
• Both teams had spells of possession in the opening 20 minutes of action with the Aces possessing the ball in their attacking third for much of the middle portion of the opening half. In the 24th minute, Evansville was given a great opportunity just at the top of the 18. The ensuing free kick found the back of the net, but a mistake nullified the free kick on a foul for Evansville. The opportunities continued for the Aces as a handball inside the box earned UE a penalty in the 27th minute. Senior Abby Phelps stepped to the spot and smashed the PK to the left of the keeper, but Drake's Kelsie Stone dove and punched the ball away and out for a corner. The scoreless first 45 minutes saw nine total shots between the two teams with Evansville owning a slight 5-4 advantage.
• Drake came out of the half on the attack, but the Aces defense did well to hold off the Bulldogs. In the 64th minute after a run of fresh substitutions, Drake opened the scoring in the match. The Bulldogs Olivia Bruce recorded a shot from inside the box that was saved by Till, but bounced to Rachel Panther who let another shot go, finding the back of the net. Evansville battled to equalize the match, but was out-shot 11-2 in the second 45 minutes. As has been true all season, the Aces capitalized on the opportunities they earned. In the 81st minute, Alex Eyler tip-toed her way along the touchline, sliding past two Bulldog defenders to find space in the attacking third. Eyler wasted little time and whipped-in a cross that entered the box. Wolak headed Eyler's cross, flicking it to the far post and away from Stone to tie the match at one.
• In overtime, both teams attempted to create chances, but both defenses shined, allowing just two shots on goal that Till saved as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
• The match represented the fifth time this season that Evansville has battled back from a deficit to earn either a win or draw.

Previewing the Matchup

• The Aces and Ramblers meet for the 13th time in series history on Wednesday with Loyola Chicago owning a 7-2-3 advantage in the all-time series.
• The two sides last met in the spring as the Aces captured a 1-0 win on the road at regular season champion Loyola on April 3, 2021.
• Evansville's last home win over the Ramblers came in the Aces inaugural season of competition with UE capturing a 4-0 win over Loyola on Oct. 29, 1993.
• Loyola sits tied atop the MVC standings with Valparaiso, both holding 2-0 records in Conference matches, while Aces are just behind in third with a 1-0-1 mark in Valley play.
• Evansville is looking to go three-straight matches unblemished to open MVC play, a feat the Aces have not completed since a 2-0-1 start to Conference play in 2013.
• The Aces got a much-needed goal from senior Emily Wolak on Saturday to earn a draw with Drake. After scoring three goals in her first two seasons with the Aces, Wolak's 81st minute goal against the Bulldogs snapped a 2,530 minute stretch of time spent on the pitch for Wolak without a goal.
• Between the posts in 2021, Evansville has been one of the best teams in the nation in stopping opponent shots. Of the 62 shots Evansville's opponents have put on-goal this season, the Aces have stopped 54, an 87.1 save-percentage, which puts UE 17th-best in the nation and second in the MVC to Drake (88.9%).
• Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Michaela Till continues to put herself on a record-breaking track. Till currently has 328 career saves, just 30 off of Theresa Bagby's program record of 358. Through eight matches this season, Till is averaging six saves per contest. With at least six games remaining in the season, Till is on pace to break the career record.

Opening MVC Play

• This week, the Aces will be looking to make it three-straight matches with an unblemished record to begin MVC play.
• A win or draw would earn Evansville its best start in MVC play since the 2013 season, which Evansville opened with a 2-0-1 record in The Valley.

Wolak Breaks a Streak

• The Aces got a much-needed goal from senior Emily Wolak on Saturday to earn a draw with Drake.
• After scoring three goals in her first two seasons with the Aces, Wolak's 81st minute goal against the Bulldogs snapped a 2,530 minute stretch of time spent on the pitch for Wolak without a goal.

Gameday Promotions

• DJ McNaughty performs at McCutchan Stadium throughout the evening.
• 2 for $6 beer special at the concession stand.

 

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