In Short…
A goal in the 17^th minute by Manuel Cukaj helped see Marquette to a 1-0 victory over the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team in the exhibition finale for both teams this evening at Loyola Soccer Park.
 
How It Happened
Luka Prpa, Marquette's leading scorer from a season ago, looked to put the visitors on top just over five minutes in when he sent his try from 20 yards wide of freshman goalkeeper Aidan Aylward's far post.  A series of pinpoint passes in the 13^th minute presented Loyola with a golden opportunity to jump in front.  Senior Elliot Collier squared a ball in the box from junior Connor Stevenson, who pulled his attempt inches wide of the near post.
 
Cukaj would give the Golden Eagles the lead at the 16:27 mark as he headed a cross from Brody Kraussel past a diving Aylward to make it 1-0.  The freshman netminder would bounce back, making a pair of saves before the end of the first half to keep the deficit at one heading into the intermission.
 
Loyola nearly cashed in off of a Marquette miscue just minutes into the second stanza.  Junior Ryan Walker forced a turnover in the Golden Eagles' third of the field that caromed to the feet of sophomore Chase Wright, who placed his attempt wide of goal.  Aylward would come up two more crucial stops in the half's middle stages to keep Loyola within striking distance as time ticked away.
 
Collier came painfully close to finding a late equalizer.  He was on the receiving end of a free kick into the box from junior Fabian Lifka that he sent narrowly over the crossbar in the 86^th minute.  The Hamilton, New Zealand product had one final chance inside the game's final 10 seconds, only to watch his volleyed blast go wide of the far post.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Marquette closed the night with a 15-9 advantage in shots.
- Collier finished with a team-best two attempts, while seven other Ramblers each tallied one shot.
- Aylward finished the night with four saves between the pipes for the Maroon & Gold.
- Tonight's game was a physical affair as the two teams combined for 25 fouls, six yellow cards and a red card.
 
Up Next
With its preseason slate now complete, Loyola will turn its attention to its regular-season opener on Friday at Xavier.  Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT) from Cincinnati, Ohio.