Loyola Sports Roundup: Soccer Gets Another Shot At Sectional Title

Girls Soccer: For all of Loyola’s (23-0-3) accomplishments over the last four years – two Pepsi Showdown titles, conference championships and school records in wins – a deep postseason run isn’t part of the resume. The Ramblers haven’t won a sectional championship, losing to New Trier in the sectional final the last two seasons.

But after taking care of business against Mather and Maine West in the regional and defeating Evanston, 3-0, in the sectional semifinals, Loyola will have yet another chance for redemption. The Ramblers will face New Trier on Friday night at Evanston.

Laura Gardner had the first Rambler goal against Evanston while scores from Colleen McShane and Annie Manganaro sealed the victory.  Carly Stevens now has 23 shutouts on the year in 26 matches.

The Chicago Sun-Times published a nice feature on Carrie Schoeneberger and Laura Gardner’s soccer careers at Loyola.

Baseball: Loyola held its own in the tough Catholic League and now it’s showing in the postseason. The Ramblers pounded Foreman, 15-2, in five innings to win in the first round of the regional. Logan Spurlin went 3-for-3 with three home runs and six RBIs for Loyola (14-19). Patrick Rayhill also homered and drove in four runs.

Loyola moved on to meet Notre Dame in the regional semifinals. Their game at Notre Dame was rescheduled from Thursday to Friday because of Wednesday’s inclement weather.

Girls Lacrosse: Loyola’s chances for another state championship increased monumentally with the Ramblers’ 16-14 victory over New Trier on Monday in the IHSWLA Evanston Sectional Final. After re-adjusting the state tournament to better resemble the geographically based format the IHSA uses, New Trier and Loyola were forced to meet before the state title game.

Kelsey Gallagher scored five goals and the Ramblers held off a couple of New Trier scoring runs and ran the clock out with a two-goal lead.

Two days later, Loyola defeated Glenbrook South, 21-9, in the Super-Sectional to move on to the state semifinals held next Wednesday at Hinsdale Central.

Boys Volleyball: Loyola’s season ended on Wednesday with a loss to New Trier in the regional final. The Ramblers (20-17) had been playing well down the stretch, advancing to the Hawk Invitational championship game the week before the playoffs started, but the No. 1-seeded Trevians were too much in a 25-19, 25-15 loss.

Loyola defeated Northside Prep 25-18, 26-28, 25-15 in the regional semifinals to set up the matchup with New Trier. Paul Juska had nine kills and Mario Asencio had 25 assists in the victory.

Softball: Loyola defeated Northside, 6-4, in its final regular-season game on Monday. The start to the Ramblers’ postseason has been delayed twice by weather. Originally scheduled for Wednesday, Loyola’s game against Resurrection in the regional semifinals has been pushed back to Friday afternoon at Resurrection High School.