As the fall season came to a close it is time to reflect on the season that was. The Loyola College Athletic Program is off to a tremendous start. Two teams have advanced to the NCAA tournament already.
The Women's Soccer team, struggled at times during the regular season to score goals, advanced the NCAA Women's Soccer College Cup. They faced Virginia in the first round and after competing for most of the match faltered at the end and lost by a final of 4-1. This was their first appearance in the past three years. With a young squad, Coach John Byford will continue to improve and should be favored to return to the NCAA tournament in the 2008.
The Men's Soccer team finally got back into the College Cup. After a drought of five seasons the team dominated the MAAC winning 11 games versus conference opponnents. The team hosted an NCAA game for the first time since 1993 (Loyola defeated James Madison 1-0 in that game.)
The Liberty Flames came to Diane Geppi-Aikens Field and the Greyhounds methodically defeated them by a final of 2-0. The team had a level of play this year that reminded me of the strong defensive squads that Evergreen has seen in the past. The team set the bar high with 19 victories, 10-0 at home and a fan following that leans toward cult. What a season. The second round of the college cup was hosted by the ACC power, University of Maryland. The Terps once again had a roster full of high quality players and the Greyhounds were not expected to compete. Remember this is a team that only a couple years ago defeated Loyola 9-0 in a regular season game. The teams battled for 90 minutes plus two overtimes and had to go to penalties to decide which team would advance to the third round. Maryland was able to come away with a 4-2 advantage in the end and the season was over for Loyola. A dissapointment, yes. But the future is bright. A fond farewell to seniors Janson Blake, Julian Cantillo and Camillo Correa. The youthful leadership (see picture) on this team was tremendous.The volleyball team, which has in the past few years struggled mightly, was able to post 20+ wins for the first time in over ten years. The squad also advanced to the MAAC Semifinals and faced Fairfield. Although they lost in the semis, this team has a core of players returning that should help elevate the team to better things in the (near) future!
Now it is time to focus on the winter sports. Basketball is underway. Both teams are in the area of 500. MAAC play starts this Friday and we all know that these are the games that matter! The new rules regarding the regular season champion getting at least an NIT bid makes the regular MAAC season even more exciting.
Swimming and Diving are chugging away. The men's team had one of its best wins in program history this past weekend, knocking off the Red Foxes of Marist, a team that Loyola was 0-24 against. With the addition of a new scoreboard at the Mangione Natatorium and a fired up squad, both the men's and women's teams should challenge for the MAAC title in February. (Hosted by Loyola at the FAC!)
The cross country team finished up in the Fall with an ok showing at the MAAC Championships. Now the focus is on Indoor Track. The team is excited and we hope that that translates into good times on the track!
Golf and Tennis both compete in the Fall but they really focus on the Spring season with the goal of capturing the MAAC and an automatic berth to the NCAA post-season. Golf has a very good shot at getting back and Coach Tom Beidleman has a squad that can compete at the highest level, expectations are high. In tennis, both men's and women's the introduction of international players to MAAC schools has made it difficult for Coach McClure's all-American squad. The team really loves to play and they push and compete. It should be an enjoyable spring for them.
The snow is falling outside and there is much to do. Make sure you keep in touch. We broadcast our men's and women's basketball games on the internet (audio) and are looking to add video to them soon.
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