Loyola Kicks Off Regular Season With Hampton Inn At Loyola Chicago Classic

The Ramblers will face Vermont and Northern Illinois at home this weekend

CHICAGO (August 29, 2019) – The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team will officially open the 2019 season this weekend as it hosts a pair of games as part of the Hampton Inn at Loyola Chicago Classic. The Ramblers will take on Vermont on Friday evening at 5 p.m. in a game that will also serve as the regular season opener for both teams before the Ramblers square off against in-state foe Northern Illinois in a 1 p.m. Sunday matinee.

2019 Preview: Head coach Neil Jones welcomes back 17 letterwinners from last season's team that finished 10-7-2 (3-1-2 MVC). The Ramblers fell just a win shy of returning to the NCAA Tournament following a hard-fought 2-1 defeat to Central Arkansas in the MVC Championship game. Leading the way for the group is the trio of Giann Magno, Aidan Megally and Fabian Becerra. Magno received Second Team All-MVC honors, while Megally and Becerra earned Honorable Mention nods. Jones' squad also welcomes a group of nine talented newcomers who are set to make their respective debuts with the Maroon & Gold in 2019.

vs. Vermont: Following a 11-7-1 campaign (3-4-0 America East) in 2018, the Catamounts are projected to finish fifth according to the America East Preseason Coaches' Poll. Last year marked the fourth consecutive season that Vermont won at least 10 games and the ninth consecutive time they captured an America East Tournament berth. Head coach Rob Dow enters his third season and returns 18 letterwinners including four senior captains, Jon Arnar Barðdal, Lucas Shaw, Arnar Steinn Hansson and Ívar Örn Árnason.

vs. Northern Illinois: The Huskies wrapped up last season 8-9-1 overall and 1-4-0 in the Mid-American Conference highlighted by the eight victories, the most for the team since 2011.
Head Coach Ryan Swan enters his third season for Northern Illinois and welcomes five newcomers to a squad led by MAC Freshman of the Year Nick Markanich (eight goals) and All-MAC honorees Jan Maertins (seven goals) and Anthony Markanich (four goals). The Huskies will face DePaul on Friday before Sunday's match-up.

Series Stuff:
Friday marks the first-ever meeting between Loyola and Vermont in men's soccer. Loyola and Northern Illinois are no strangers, as Sunday marks the 22^nd meeting between the teams. Loyola has won the last three meetings, including the most recent face-off on October 23, 2018, 1-0.

Up Next:
The Ramblers are off to the Golden State as they take on Cal State Fullerton on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. and Loyola Marymount on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 3 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#20 Fabian Becerra: F; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#8 Giann Magno: MF; 5' 8"; Junior

#19 Aidan Megally: MF; 6' 0"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#20 Fabian Becerra
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: F

#8 Giann Magno
: 5' 8"; Junior
: MF

#19 Aidan Megally
: 6' 0"; Senior
: MF

Players Mentioned

#20 Fabian Becerra

#8 Giann Magno

#19 Aidan Megally

Players Mentioned

#20 Fabian Becerra

#8 Giann Magno

#19 Aidan Megally