Loyola rolls into title game

Two-time defending state champion Loyola will have its chance to chase program history Friday.

The Ramblers found their way back to the last weekend of the season with their 18-4 win over Libertyville at Hinsdale Central on Wednesday.

We know we deserve to be in the title game,” said Loyola’s Molly Hulseman, who is one of four seniors on the club and hopes to become part of the team’s first-ever three-peat at Northwestern.

Added Meg Perkaus, “Being a senior, you want it more. We want this so badly.”

Senior Nicole Gleason and Kelsey Gallagher each scored three goals in the semifinal win over the Wildcats (11-7-1) as the Ramblers (20-2) won its eighth consecutive game and remained undefeated against in-state opponents.

Loyola scored the first 10 goals of the game and led 10-2 at the half. Libertyville never came closer the rest of the way. Sophomore Olivia Mayer scored a team-best three goals for the Wildcats.

That allowed the Ramblers to play everybody in uniform. Eleven players scored.

“That’s what makes our program so strong,” Hulseman said. “That gives us the extra edge every year. We have that experience.”

Now, Loyola turns its attention to Hinsdale Central, which beat the Ramblers for the 2007 state title. Loyola beat the Red Devils 21-9 on May 6.

“They are really talented, and they want this just as much as we do,” Perkaus said.

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