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CHICAGO (August 23, 2018) - The Loyola men's soccer team is on to the regular season, beginning its 38^th season in program history. The squad's first opponent of the 2018 campaign is No. 14/8 Western Michigan on August 24 at 4 p.m. CST (5 p.m. EST).
 
2018 Preview: Loyola looks to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years, and return 15 letterwinners and welcome 11 newcomers to the 2018 squad that will aim to accomplish that feat. The Ramblers boast six seniors on the 2018 team, led by captains Grant Stoneman and Fabian Lifka. The two preseason All-MVC selections bring a combined 109 matches of collegiate experience, while both have finished with previous All-MVC recognition each season they've been with the program. Stoneman and Lifka are joined by junior defender Marius Kullmann to round out the captains for this season. 
 
Series Stuff: Western Michigan, picked to finish second in the MAC, is coming off its first ever regular season championship in 2017, while capturing its first NCAA Tournament win. Friday marks the 10th time the two teams have squared off. No players remain from either team since the last time they played in the regular season (2014). In an evenly matched all-time series, Loyola trails 4-5-0 with a +0 goal differential (15-15). The Ramblers' largest margin of victory was in 1993 in a 5-2 victory that also serves as the program's largest amount of goals tallied in a single match. One match between the two teams has gone to overtime, a 3-2 Broncos win in 2005.
 
After This: Following Friday's contest against the Broncos, the Ramblers return home in preparation for the home opener Monday (Aug. 27) at 4 p.m. vs. Cleveland State. Head coach Neil Jones is 4-1-0 in home openers in his first five seasons at the helm of the men's soccer program. 

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