Home Men's Soccer
Quick Strikes Send Men's Soccer to 3-1 Loss Against No. 23 Loyola (MD)
Freshman Ruffing Nets First Collegiate Goal
Freshman Ryan Ruffing scored his first collegiate goal, but GW couldn't overcome a pair of quick goals in a 3-1 loss to No. 23 Loyola (MD) Saturday.
 
Freshman Ryan Ruffing scored his first collegiate goal, but GW couldn't overcome a pair of quick goals in a 3-1 loss to No. 23 Loyola (MD) Saturday.
  

Sept. 13, 2008

Final Stats

WASHINGTON, DC - George Washington men's soccer freshman Ryan Ruffing scored an equalizer in the 18th minute, but 23rd-ranked Loyola (MD) answered just over two minutes later and tacked on an insurance goal early in the second half to defeat the Colonials, 3-1, during Soccer Alumni Weekend at Mount Vernon Field Saturday afternoon.

Ruffing's game-tying goal, off a header assist from junior Andy Stadler, came just 26 seconds after Phil Bannister gave the Greyhounds a 1-0 lead at the 17:10 mark. Bannister settled a right-to-left cross from Jamie Darvill and deposited a right-footed shot from the penalty spot past Colonials' redshirt senior goalkeeper Matt Scheer.

GW (1-2-1) quickly countered off the ensuing kick-off with junior Nikolay Aleksandrov finding Stadler, whose flick-on header found Ruffing on a run through the box. Ruffing collected the ball and calmly slotted it past Loyola (MD) (5-0-0) goalkeeper Milos Kocic to the right corner for his first collegiate tally. The goal was only the second allowed by the Greyhounds this season and the second allowed in their past 13 matches dating back to last season. The assist was the ninth point of the season for Stadler, a total which ranks second in the Atlantic 10.

Loyola (MD), the top ranked team in the NSCAA North Atlantic region, got the game-winner at the 19:45 mark on a left-footed strike from Ben Hanson. Hanson had his original 18-yard attempt blocked by a sliding GW defender, but recovered the loose ball at a wider angle and beat Scheer to his left.

The Greyhounds put the match out-of-reach in the 48th minute on a goal from Glenn Leitch. Darvill sent a pass down the line to Steven Bantock, who connected with Leitch on the far post from the right wing.

 

 

GW controlled possession for much of the second half as Loyola (MD) sat on its two-goal cushion. Nine of the Colonials' 21 shots came in the final 20 minutes, but Kocic, who finished with 10 saves, wasn't tested on many of the long-range attempts. The Greyhounds finished with 14 shots and a 7-5 edge in corner kicks.

Scheer, who was briefly relieved by redshirt sophomore Scott Goossens to tend to a cut to the face, made three stops in 87 minutes.

The Colonials are now 0-3-0 all-time against ranked opponents at Mount Vernon Field.

GW will look to snap its two-match losing streak Tuesday at Navy. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

Men's Sports

Women's Sports