Despite having only 10 players, junior defender Iradj Farahmand tallied his first career goal on a penalty kick at the 58:41 mark but the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team dropped its final non-conference game of the regular season to the Michigan State Spartans, 2-1, on Sunday at Loyola Soccer Park. The Ramblers suffered their second consecutive loss and are now 9-6 this season while the Spartans improved to 7-5-2.

The two teams played evenly throughout the first half, with each team attempting three shots. Freshman forward Alex Jones had Loyola's best scoring chance of the half at 19:25 but unfortunately could not connect for the go-ahead goal.

Loyola's defense limited Michigan State to only two shots on goal and keeper Sean Bond continued the impressive effort in the second half by making a diving save to punch the ball out of the box to stop a Spartan threat at the 50-minute mark. The Dallas, Texas native made six saves but could not earn his 10th win of the season.

Michigan State managed to open the scoring at 51:28 after a shot by Greg Janicki off a corner by Kevin Reiman was deflected and Doug DeMartin stepped in for the eighth goal of his career, giving the Spartans a 1-0 advantage.

Two minutes later, Loyola junior defender Reed Cataldo drew a red card in the 53rd minute that would force the Ramblers to play the remaining 37 minutes with only 10 players. LU persevered despite being down one man and managed to apply pressure on the MSU defense. The Ramblers quickly took advantage about seven minutes later when a use of the hands penalty was called within the Spartan box at 58:41. Farahmand was awarded the penalty kick and he took full advantage by scoring his first career goal. Farahmand, a 2005 Second Team Horizon League performer, now has three career points.

Unfortunately, Michigan State received the game's second penalty shot, which Matt Kreikemeier converted for the Spartan's second goal of the contest.

Loyola resumes Horizon League play at 7 p.m. on Friday against Illinois-Chicago at Loyola Soccer Park. The Ramblers and Flames are currently tied for second place in the League standings with identical 4-1 records at 12 points apiece.