Final Stats

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team saw its three-game winning streak to open the season come to an end today at the hands of the No. 7/12 Michigan State Spartans, 1-0, at the DeMartin Soccer Complex in East Lansing, Mich. The Spartans move to 3-1-1 on the season, while the Ramblers fall to 3-1-0.

"Today was a very hard fought game for both teams," Loyola head men's soccer coach Neil Jones said. "I thought we gave a very good account of ourselves and did well to limit an excellent Michigan State team to a handful of chances. We need to continue working hard this week in training for another tough road game against Butler."

The Ramblers showed no fear of the nationally ranked Spartans in the opening minutes, generating an early corner in the second minute that was cleared away by the Michigan State defense. Chances were few and far between for either team in the early stages with the first shot on target of the game falling to the Spartans' Jay Chapman in the 20th minute. Goalkeeper Tim Dobrowolski was up to the task though, wrapping up the attempt to keep the game scoreless. The Rockford, Ill. product came through again in the 33rd minute when he corralled Jason Stacy's shot.

Brian Bement made a bid for his first goal of the season in the 37th minute, forcing a save out of Zach Bennett. The Rambler backline stepped up in support of its goalkeeper to close out the first 45 minutes, blocking a Stacy shot as the clock ticked down to ensure the game stayed in a scoreless deadlock heading into halftime.

Defense continued to rule to begin the second half as neither team could seem to find its rhythm. Chapman finally found a breakthrough for the hosts in the 61st minute, putting a free kick from Stacy into the back of the net to make it 1-0. The goal brought an end to a scoreless streak of over 330 minutes for Dobrowolski to open the season.

Loyola continued to battle in search of an equalizer to force overtime as Kyle Thomson ripped a shot high of goal in the 75th minute. Michigan State looked to be on its way to an insurance goal in the 85th minute when Chapman slid a ball into the box for Jerome Cristobal, only for Dobrowolski to make a fine save. Freshman John Cappuccitti had a late opportunity for the Ramblers in the 88th minute but had his shot blocked by a Spartan defender. That would prove to be Loyola's final chance of the game as Michigan State held on for a 1-0 victory.

The Ramblers return to action in six days when they meet the Butler Bulldogs on Sept. 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. (CT) from Indianapolis, Ind.