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CHICAGO (October 5, 2018) – Two matches into conference play, the Loyola Ramblers sit in a three-way tie for first place with a 1-0-1 record. The third contest on the 2018 conference slate is set for Saturday (Oct. 6) at Valparaiso at 7 p.m. to close out the current three-match road swing.
 
Last Time Out: The Ramblers found themselves leaving Bradley with a monumental win in their back pocket last Saturday (Sept. 22). Down 1-0 as late as 5:08 left in regulation, freshman Fabian Becerra tied things up with an 85^th minute strike for the first Ramblers goal in Peoria since 2011. Fellow freshman Billy Hency joined Becerra on the stat sheet with his first collegiate goal less than two minutes into overtime. Hency's golden goal propelled the Maroon and Gold to their first road win against Bradley since 1995, and went down as the program's 300^th all-time win.

A Look at Valparaiso: A tough start to the season has hindered the Valparaiso Crusaders' high positioning in the standings as MVC play gets into full swing. Despite the 2-7-1 overall record, Valpo has been a part of six one-goal games and are second in the valley in shots at 146. The Crusaders' offensive attack runs through senior forward Rafael Mentzingen with his team-leading five points at 41 shots. The Brazil native's shot total also leads the conference, and is 17 ahead of his next closest teammate – Lucca Lacerda's 24. 2011 Horizon League Coach of the Year Mike Avery is in his 12^th year leading the Crusaders and has juggled goalkeepers in the first 10 matches. Among goalkeepers who have seen time this year, Nacho Miras has logged the most minutes between the posts, but will be looking to rebound from his most recent outing of three goals against in 52:40.
 
Series Stuff: Loyola and Valparaiso have the longest series history among any of the Ramblers' MVC opponents due to their dueling days in the Horizon League. Loyola holds a 15-8-7 all-time lead and began the head-to-head contests with a 10-match unbeaten streak – a stretch that had winning streaks of four and five mixed in. Prior to last year's contest, the two squads went to overtime on six consecutive occasions from 2011-16, with the Ramblers winning the most recent OT tilt on a Marius Kullmann golden goal back in 2016. Loyola is 4-1-1 all-time when playing on Valpo's home turf, and have tied 0-0 two of the last three matchups over there.
 
Up Next: Loyola opens its final homestand of the season on Tuesday, Oct. 9 vs. Xavier. The matchup with the Musketeers will be the second year in a row the two programs have squared off in the regular season.

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