CHICAGO (January 27, 2021) – Coming off a banner 2019 season, the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer program announced its schedule for the upcoming 2021 spring season on Wednesday.  Led by eighth-year head coach Neil Jones, the Ramblers will play a pair of non-conference matchups before beginning Missouri Valley Conference play.
 
"Our entire program couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to compete this spring," Jones said.  "We'll face a limited non-conference slate before beginning Missouri Valley Conference play with a challenging road test at Bradley.  The intensity of competition in The Valley is unmatched, and we look forward to having the chance to defend our title."
 
Jones' team will raise the curtain on 2021 on February 3 when it makes heads north to Milwaukee, Wis. for a matchup with BIG EAST Conference foe Marquette.  Just under two weeks later, Loyola will play its first of three contests at the Mercyhealth Sportscore Two complex in Loves Park, Ill., hosting in-state rival Northern Illinois on February 14.
 
Missouri Valley Conference play is set to begin on February 20, as the Maroon & Gold visit Peoria, Ill. to battle Bradley.  After entertaining Evansville (February 28), Loyola will travel to Springfield, Mo. for its first of two meetings with Missouri State (March 7), who the Ramblers defeated on penalty kicks in the 2019 MVC Championship game. 
 
Following a tilt with Drake (March 14), Loyola will make its return to the friendly confines of Loyola Soccer Park on March 24 for a midweek clash with Bradley.  The Ramblers are back in action five days later, traveling to Evansville (March 29), before returning to Rogers Park for a return matchup with Missouri State on April 4 in the 2021 home finale.  Loyola will close the regular season in Des Moines, Iowa on April 9 at Drake.
 
The MVC Championship is slated to run from April 13-17, with games taking place at campus sites.
 
Jones is slated to welcome back a strong core of 19 letterwinners from last season's squad that closed the year at 11-5-4 (5-2-3 MVC) and won the program's first MVC Tournament Championship en route to qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.  That group is highlighted by five returning All-Valley selections in graduate student Marcel Kampman, seniors Tyler Biggs and Giann Magno, junior Billy Hency, and sophomore Andrew Mitchell.
 
Loyola's schedule for spring 2021 follows.
 
Loyola Men's Soccer 2021 Spring Schedule
Feb. 3 – at Marquette
Feb. 14 – Northern Illinois (Loves Park, Ill.)
Feb. 20 – at Bradley
Feb. 28 – Evansville (Loves Park, Ill.)
March 7 – at Missouri State
March 14 – Drake (Loves Park, Ill.)
March 24 – Bradley
March 29 – at Evansville
April 4 – Missouri State
April 9 – at Drake
April 13 – MVC Championship (Campus Sites)
April 17 – MVC Championship (Campus Sites)