Final Stats

EVANSTON, Ill. - The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team is off to its best start in 12 years after defeating Utah Valley, 1-0, this afternoon at Lakeside Field in Evanston, Ill. to win the inaugural DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton North Shore Chicago Classic. With the win, the Ramblers move to 3-0-0, while the Wolverines drop to 1-2-0.

"We put on a pretty solid defensive performance," Loyola head men's soccer coach Neil Jones commented. "We were a little flat coming out of Friday night and the first half was a little slow. Friday-Sunday games are hard but in the second half we were much better and we managed to find a goal. It wasn't pretty but an unfortunate error on their part turned into a fortunate goal for us. A solid defensive effort, again, allows us to get away with a win."

The visitors from Orem, Utah wasted little time attacking the Loyola goal when Matt Gay fired wide on a picture-perfect day for soccer on the shores of Lake Michigan. Brian Bement and John Cappuccitti each had chances for the Maroon & Gold in the opening 15 minutes but neither was able to put an attempt on target.

Utah Valley thought it had taken the lead in the 32nd minute when Austin Buxton snuck a shot past Loyola goalkeeper Tim Dobrowolski, only to see the line judge's flag go up for offside. Dobrowolski, out of Rockford, Ill., was up to the task when he denied David Adams' smash from eight yards out in the 38th minute to ensure the game went into halftime scoreless.

Gay looked to give the Wolverines the lead in the early stages of the second half when, following a Loyola foul, he ripped a shot towards the near post, only for Dobrowolski to be waiting for it. Brody Kraussel had one of the best opportunities of the second stanza for the Ramblers when he broke free at the top of the 18-yard box and unleashed a shot that forced a save out of Collin Partee, the Wolverine netminder.

Chances were few and far between for either side as the half continued to wear on. With Loyola looking to catch Utah Valley on a counter-attack in the 83rd minute, Kirill Likhovid sent a ball into the box that a Wolverine defender deflected past Derek Wilcox, who was substituted in at halftime in goal for Utah Valley, to give the Ramblers a 1-0 lead. The backline locked down from that point forward, not allowing another shot for Utah Valley, as Loyola picked up its third-straight victory to open the season.

The 3-0-0 start sees Loyola off to its best start since the 2002 season, a team that also won its first three. Bolstered by the Rambler backline, Dobrowolski was dominant again in goal. The junior now has three shutouts to his name to open the season, already half of his total from 2013. Dobrowolski was also one of four Ramblers named to the All-Tournament team. He was joined by Ryan Howe, the tournament's most valuable player, Kirill Likhovid and Kyle Thomson.

Loyola now will turn its attention to a date with the No. 7 Michigan State Spartans on Sunday, Sept. 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Central Time, from East Lansing, Mich.