Rhode Island (7-7-3, 4-4-1 A-10)
Starters: Mohammed (GK), Gilbert, Name, MacDonald, Sallent, Hagerty, Poon, Kirkpatrick, Carstensen, Scarduzio, Garniss
Substitutes: Samalonis, Rosenfeld, Rice, Yee

Loyola Chicago (8-4-5, 3-2-4 A-10)
Starters: Deardoff (GK), Abel, Cibulka, Harrison, Leigh, Harris, Rhodes, Hevey, Metaj, Roberts, Grisdale
Substitutes: Liguore, Rossi, Van Roekel

Scoring Summary 
51:04 – URI – MacDonald (Hagerty)

How it Happened
Rhode Island gave a significant boost to its postseason hopes by knocking off Loyola Chicago 1-0 Thursday night.

With the win, the Rams moved into a three-way tie for sixth place with Loyola Chicago and VCU, which defeated George Washington Thursday. The only remaining team that could potentially catch the group is Davidson, which is currently in ninth place with 10 points. Rhode Island and Davidson play each other in the regular-season finale, meaning URI controls its own destiny and would get into the Atlantic 10 Championship with a win or tie.

Against Loyola Chicago, Lauren MacDonald continued her breakout season with a goal in the 52nd minute. Taking a pass from Sam Hagerty, MacDonald made an extended run and fired a shot that nicked off the near post and beat keeper Allison Deardoff for the lead.

Loyola got a solid shot from Faith Grisdale in the 59th minute, but Rhody keeper Chelsea Mohammed was up to the task. Her diving save kept the Rams in front. Mohammed came up big again in the 66th minute when Rossi received a pass in the middle of the box at point blank range. Her shot went right into Mohammed's waiting arms.

Loyola Chicago controlled much of the first half action putting five shots on goal, compared to just one for Rhode Island. The Ramblers had multiple strong chances but could not score. In the 29th minute, Zoe Hevey fired a shot that caromed off the crossbar and away from danger. In the 42nd minute, a free kick deep in the Rhody end found a wide-open Emily Rossi in the box just off the end line. However, her header went outside the far post for a goal kick.

Inside the Box Score

• With seven victories, Rhode Island head coach Megan Jessee has a new career high in her eighth season at the helm.
• The Rams have won four conference matches for the second season in a row and for the third time in four seasons.
• Graduate student Sam Hagerty delivered her eighth assist of the season, tying her for the league lead in the category.
• Sophomore Lauren MacDonald's goal was her seventh of the season. She matched the most goals in a season by a URI player since 2013, when Samantha Leyh had seven.
• Freshman goalie Chelsea Mohammed set a career high with eight saves.
• It was her second career shutout.

Up Next
Rhode Island closes out the regular season at Davidson on Sunday, Oct. 27. Game time is 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+.