Aug. 18, 2014
Loyola/Chicago Final Statistics 
CHICAGO - A Kirill Likhovid goal in the first half of play proved to be the difference as the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team defeated the University of Chicago, 1-0, tonight at Loyola Soccer Park. The victory sees the Ramblers even their exhibition record at 1-1 with one game left to play.
The visitors from Hyde Park earned a pair of early free kicks, failing to convert on either, in the game's opening minutes on a beautiful summer evening for soccer in Rogers Park. Junior Ryan Howe, who scored against Michigan on Saturday, came tantalizingly close in the ninth minute, beating goalkeeper Brett Weisen from ten yards out after a well-placed service from Daniel Hare, only to see the post turn him away.
Loyola wouldn't be denied as Likhovid secured the breakthrough goal in the 15th minute. Following a Maroon foul, freshman Kyle Thomson quickly took a free kick that found the junior out of suburban Arlington Heights, Ill. Likhovid sliced it past Weisen and inside the far post to give the Ramblers the lead. The Ramblers held an advantage in possession in the first half and were able to take their lead into the locker room. Loyola outshot the visiting Maroons by a 6-1 margin.
In stark contrast to the first half, it would be Chicago who would control the pace in the early goings of the second half. Kyle Kurfirst was presented with a golden opportunity to level the game in the 45th minute from ten yards out but an onrushing Tim Dobrowolski forced him to push his attempt wide at the near post. The close call looked to awaken the Rambler offense as freshman John Cappuccitti unleashed a blast from near the top of the 18-yard box in the 52nd minute that barely missed the post.
The Maroons refused to go away quietly as the minutes continued to tick away. Andre Abedian broke free for a one-on-one situation with Dobrowolski only to scuff his attempt and watch it roll into the arms of the Rambler netminder. That would prove to be the junior's only save of the night as Loyola was able to see off its city rival, securing a 1-0 victory.
The Ramblers wrap up their exhibition schedule on Saturday when they make the cross-state trip to Macomb, Ill. for a matchup with the Western Illinois Leathernecks. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. from John Mackenzie Alumni Field.
