VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Loyola had just two shots on goal, but made the last one count, becoming the first No. 6 seed to win the Horizon League Men's Soccer Championship, beating Wright State, 1-0, in overtime at Brown Field.
With much of the match played in the middle 50 yards, it opened up in the overtime period and Loyola (7-11-2) took advantage, as Eric Nock touched a pass across to Eric Marofske, who drilled a low shot to the left corner to beat Wright State (11-7-2) keeper Craig Feehan and send the Ramblers to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008.
Seeded sixth in the tournament, the Ramblers had to run through the Nos. 3, 1 and 2 seeds in order to reach their third NCAA bid. Peter McKeown, who collected shutouts in all three matches, was named the tournament MVP. The senior made two saves against a Wright State attack that held possession for most of the second half.
A month ago, Loyola appeared as if it would be on the outside looking in of the tournament; a 1-0 loss to Valparaiso on Oct. 26 had the Ramblers outside the top six teams in the conference; however, the Ramblers regrouped, winning their final two regular season matches and got some some help to get into the tournament. Once in, Loyola's defense held the opposition to 11 shots on goal, with McKeown denying 10 (with one team save).
The Ramblers have not allowed a goal since Oct. 26.
Loyola's defensive style stifled a Wright State attack that had downed the Ramblers, 3-1, back on Oct. 22. The Raiders mustered just six shots in the match, while Loyola was able to counter more freely than in its semifinal win against Valparaiso.
With both teams pushing forward in the overtime, it was Loyola who countered once more, intercepting a pass from the Wright State defense to set up Marofske's tally.
Marofske joined McKeown on the All-Tournament Team, as did defenders Erik Warren and Alex Wynne. Wynne had the best scoring chance in regulation, drilling a shot from 35 yards out that Feehan punched up and off the crossbar. Feehan earned All-Tournament honors along with teammates Justin Laird and Brian Cothern.
Loyola will find out its NCAA Tournament desination on Monday, Nov. 14, when the pairings are announced live on NCAA.com at 4:30 p.m. ET.
All-Tournament Team:
Peter McKeown, Loyola (MVP)
Erik Warren, Loyola
Eric Marofske, Loyola
Alex Wynne, Loyola
Brian Cothern, Wright State
Craig Feehan, Wright State
Justin Laird, Wright State
Stefan Antonijevic, Valparaiso
Wei Ming-Wong, Valparaiso
Tony Walls, Green Bay
Stuart Grable, Green Bay
