By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – Loyola scored two goals in the first 15 minutes and Illinois State soccer’s late rally was not enough as the Redbirds fell, 2-1, to the Ramblers in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The loss brings the Redbirds’ season to a close.

Loyola controlled the early parts of the first half and in the ninth minute scored when Taylor Lambouris sent a long pass to the top of the goal box. Vanessa Niestrom ran to the ball, but was beaten to it by Avalon Senn-Raemont. Senn-Raemont flicked a shot over Niestrom’s head and into the net for an early lead.

Five minutes later, Loyola struck again. After a foul in the center of the field about 22 yards out from the goal, Shelby Koch lined up to take the free kick. Koch rifled a line drive into the box and it deflected into the net for a 2-0 Rambler lead.

Despite the early lead, Illinois State fought back to control the rest of the first half. The Redbirds held an advantage in possession, but ended the half being outshot 7-6.

In the second half, the Redbirds outshot Loyola 7-3, but weren’t able to find a goal until the 90th minute. With 42 seconds left on the clock, Haylee Eastridge sent a pass across the face of the goal and Lauren Koehl finished the shot to cut the lead in half.

Eastridge had not recorded a point in her collegiate career, but finished the season with three assists in the final two matches. The goal was Koehl’s eighth of the season, which was the team-high.

One last gasp for the Redbirds went wide of the net with 10 seconds remaining and Loyola held on to advance in the MVC Tournament. The Ramblers will face top-seeded Drake Friday in Evansville, Indiana.

ISU outshot Loyola 13-10 and held a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks. Niestrom made five saves in the net while Loyola’s Maddie Ford recorded four.

Illinois State finishes the season 6-10-2 overall and 3-3 in the MVC.