CHICAGO, Ill. – The Illinois State soccer team's comeback fell short on Sunday afternoon, as the Redbirds dropped a 3-2 decision to top-ranked Loyola Chicago at Loyola Soccer Park. The Redbirds move to 2-5 (2-3 MVC) while Loyola maintains first place in the Missouri Valley Conference standings with a record of 4-0-1 overall and in league play.
The first half proved to be an offensive showcase, as all five goals in the match game in the first 45 minutes.
The Ramblers had the advantage right from the start as Loyola's Megan Nemec stole the ball from a defender, passing it off to Katharine Stephens to slot it in from the edge of the box just 20 seconds in.