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CHICAGO (October 12, 2018) – Currently on a three-match unbeaten streak, the Loyola Ramblers face a big test on Saturday night (Oct. 13) against No. 25 Missouri State. The Bears are the second team Loyola will face in the regular season ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Top-25. First kick at Loyola Soccer Park is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and is the back-end of a doubleheader with a Loyola women's soccer match.
 
Last Time Out: Loyola picked up a quality non-conference win versus Xavier at home on Tuesday night (Oct. 9) by a score of 1-0. Freshman Vasco Cardoso found the back of the net in the 29^th minute off an outswinging cross from Billy Hency. The tally was Cardoso's second of the season, with his first back on Aug. 27 being a game-winner as well. The Portugal native is the first freshman to record two game-winning goals in a season since John Cappuccitti did so in 2014. On the defensive side of things, the shutout went in the books as Josh Lagudah's fifth of the season, and his first without having to make a save.

A Look at Missouri State: Missouri State, picked to win the MVC, is living up to expectations by collecting seven of their possible nine points so far this conference season, and checking in unbeaten overall with a 7-0-2 record. The Bears hold the best goal differential in the conference at +11, and are led offensively by Josh Dolling and his conference-leading 18 points. The Bears are strong defensively as well. Examples include having the reigning MVC Defensive Player of the Week, Ben Stroud, patrol the back line and goalkeeper Michael Creek whose goals against average and shutouts are constantly flip-flopping with Lagudah for best in the conference.
 
Series Stuff: MSU owns a 5-4-3 edge in the series history, but Loyola has won three of the last four matchups. The most recent result is last year's comeback win on the road in late-October, a win that was the Ramblers' first ever in Springfield, and was made possible by a Fabian Lifka tally in the 18^th minute to start the comeback. The Maroon and Gold finished the job by forcing an own goal in the 69^th minute to give them a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Additional thrilling victories include the 2016 victory when Andrew Chekadanov became the fourth Rambler to log double-digit shutouts in a season, and in the 2015 MVC tournament when Loyola knocked them out of the postseason.
 
Up Next: Loyola will turn its attention to Moody Bible Institute following the conclusion of Saturday night's matchup. The recently added match against Archers is set for Oct. 16 at 7 p.m., and fans who plan to attend receive free admission.

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