March 10, 2010

Video Highlights From WJZ-TV

BALTIMORE - Phil Bannister scored two goals for the Loyola University Maryland men's soccer, as the Greyhounds defeated local professional team Crystal Palace Baltimore, 4-3, in the first-ever game on Awalt Field at the Ridley Athletic Complex.

The Greyhounds hosted the friendly at the 6,000-seat stadium, where Loyola will celebrate the grand opening and dedication on Saturday, March 13. The Greyhounds' men's lacrosse team hosts Duke at 3 p.m.. Gates open at 1 p.m., and the dedication will commence at 2:45 p.m.

Crystal Palace Baltimore is a member of the USSF Division 2 Professional league, which is considered the second tier of professional soccer in the USA under Major League Soccer (MLS)

Zach Tweddell scored the first Loyola goal with a header off a Kevin Curran free kick in the 26th minute, 13 minutes later Bannister scored a spectacular left footed strike from 25 yards out, to put Loyola ahead 2-1 after an Eddie Dines assist.

Crystal Palace tied the score at 2-2 with a 43rd-minute penalty by Tsuyoshi Yoshitake.

Dines put Loyola ahead, 3-2, as he collected a loose ball that slipped past the Crystal Palace goalie and scored in the 73rd minute.

Bannister then added a necessary insurance goal after a clever through ball by Curran. Bannister's tally in the 88th minute put Loyola up 4-2, but Crystal Palace's Matthew Mbuta, an ex-New York Red Bulls' player, scored with a header in the last minute to make it a one-goal game.

Loyola and Crystal Palace played the first game at Ridley Athletic Complex in a spring friendly.

Three days later, Loyola students and fans filled Ridley for the first intercollegiate contest, a men's lacrosse game against Duke.