Final Stats

CHICAGO - Behind a goal from senior Jacob Thoreson and another strong defensive effort, the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team downed Evansville, 1-0, this evening at Loyola Soccer Park. With the win, Loyola's first in conference play, the Ramblers move to 5-3-2 overall (1-1-0 MVC), while the Purple Aces drop to 2-7-0 (0-2-0 MVC).

"Conditions were difficult tonight but we grinded out a win," Loyola head men's soccer coach Neil Jones said. "Jacob Thoreson had a good finish off of a set piece and we were able to hold on. We need to continue to be more ruthless in the final third and put away chances to make the last part of the game a bit easier on ourselves. We defended well though and picked up a valuable three points. Now we move on to a very difficult Missouri State team next Saturday."

Weather conditions were far from ideal as both teams battled a light drizzle and stiff winds for the majority of the evening on Chicago's North Side. Desmond Dolpy looked to put the visitors out in front inside two minutes when he found space at the edge of the box, only to roll his attempt just wide of the far post. The early scare seemed to serve as a wake-up call to Loyola's attack as the Ramblers began to dominate possession. Sophomore Elliot Collier forced the first save of the night from Evansville goalkeeper Greg Niven in the eighth minute before junior Kevin Engesser pulled a one-time effort wide four minutes after.

Thoreson cashed in for the Maroon & Gold in the 15th minute. Following a save by Niven off a try from redshirt senior Eric Schoendorf, the Auburn, Wash. native rifled his attempt into the center of the net, putting the Ramblers on top early. Collier and redshirt senior Ben Crognale each nearly made it a two-goal lead for Loyola in the 24th minute when Niven parried away Collier's attempt prior to Crognale putting the ensuing rebound off the crossbar. Loyola dominated nearly every statistical category in the opening 45 minutes of play, highlighted by a 12-4 lead in shots and a 7-0 edge in corners, as it took a well-deserved 1-0 lead into halftime.

Thoreson found himself back in the mix early on in the second half. The senior delivered a cross from the left flank that Crognale headed high of goal. Evansville began to see more possession as the half wore on. Leading goal scorer and preseason All-Valley selection Mark Gonzalez hoped to spark the Purple Aces' attack in the 51st minute, firing wide of goal. Senior Tim Dobrowolski was called into action in the 71st minute, denying Nate Opperman's try from the top of the 18-yard box.

The freshman duo of Connor Stevenson and Ryan Walker nearly created some magic in the 74th minute. Stevenson forced a difficult save out of Niven, which led to a rebound that Walker put right at the Purple Aces netminder, keeping the score at 1-0. Loyola's defense closed the show in the final quarter of an hour, allowing Evansville only one shot, to help the Ramblers secure a valuable three points and extend their home unbeaten run to 15 games.

The Ramblers hit the road next weekend for a matchup against Missouri State, the defending Missouri Valley Conference regular season champion. Kickoff from Alison South Stadium in Springfield, Mo. is set for 7 p.m.