CHICAGO (September 4, 2019) – After kicking off the regular season at home, the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team heads west this weekend for their first two regular season matches on the road. The Ramblers will face Cal State Fullerton on Friday night at 7 p.m. before squaring off against Loyola Marymount for a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee.
 
Last Time Out: Loyola claimed the Hampton Inn at Loyola Chicago Classic title last weekend after wins against Vermont, 2-1 and Northern Illinois, 1-0. Freshman Andrew Mitchell and sophomore Ethan Stoneman
accounted for the Maroon & Gold's tallies against the Catamounts, while senior Aidan Megally captured the game-winner in Sunday's match-up against the Huskies. This is the Ramblers' first 2-0 start since the 2016 season when they opened the campaign 7-0 on the way to an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. The Ramblers are receiving 11 votes in this weeks United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll.
 
vs. Cal State Fullerton: Under the direction of sixth-year head coach George Kuntz, Cal State Fullerton won a pair of games on its home field this past weekend, defeating Hartford 2-0, and Bryant, 2-1. Redshirt senior Oscar Flores found the back of the net in both matches, and Big West honoree Christian Pinzon and freshman Diego Useda also recorded goals. Cal State Fullerton (7-6-8 overall, 2-3-2 Big West in 2018) is coming off its fifth consecutive appearance in the Big West Conference Tournament under Kuntz and looks to make its fourth NCAA Tournament in six seasons. The Titans were picked fifth in the Preseason Coaches Poll with goalkeeper Paul-Andre Guerin earning Preseason All-Conference team recognition.

vs. Loyola Marymount: Loyola Marymount, who hosts Oral Roberts on Friday evening before facing the Ramblers, suffered a tough 2-1 loss to No. 16 Virginia Tech on Aug. 30 in their home-opener. Sophomore Jack Sauls found the equalizer in the 68th minute, but the Lions couldn't secure the win. Veteran head coach Paul Krumpe is in his 22nd season with the Lions, who finished 6-12-0 overall and 3-4-0 West Coast Conference in 2018. This year's squad welcomes 11 newcomers and eight returners, including Sauls (four goals), who was the second-leading scorer last season.
 
Series Stuff: Friday marks the first-ever meeting between Loyola and Cal State Fullerton in men's soccer. The Ramblers meet Loyola Marymount for the third time on Sunday afternoon, a series in which the Lions hold a 2-0-0 edge in. 

Up Next:
The Maroon & Gold return to Loyola Soccer Park on Friday, September 13 to square off against in-city rival DePaul at 7 p.m. for the annual Hustle to Hoyne match. Students are encouraged to attend the pre-game rally with head coach Neil Jones at St. Ignatius Plaza at 5:30 p.m.