CHICAGO (October 3, 2021)
In Short…
For the second time in as many games, three different Ramblers found the back of the net as the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team picked up a 3-0 win over SIUE (2-6-2, 1-3-0 MVC) this afternoon at Loyola Soccer Park. The Ramblers, who are unbeaten in their last five games, now sit at 6-2-1 overall and 3-0-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Head Coach Neil Jones Thoughts…
"It was a big week for us. Three games, three wins, and nine points. We're very happy to be unbeaten through four games in conference play. Today was a difficult opponent. SIUE has a lot of good players, especially in the attacking third. We're very happy to get the three points today."
How It Happened
After sitting through a 28-minute delay pregame due to lightning in the area, both sides had their chances in the opening quarter hour. Alex Segura nearly put the visitors in front in the 13
th minute, sending an uncontested look at goal over of the crossbar, while senior
Fabian Becerra headed high at the other end just over a minute later.
Loyola struck for the day's first score off a set piece in the 37
th minute. Senior
Billy Hency lofted a free kick into the box that found a leaping sophomore
Julian Cisneros, who headed in at the far post from six yards out to put the Ramblers on top heading to halftime, 1-0.
Hency found himself back in the mix again less than two minutes into the second half. The senior sent a corner kick towards the near post that was directed home by junior
Oscar Dueso, doubling the Loyola lead, 2-0.
Any lingering doubt about the final result was put to rest in the 55
th minute. Cisneros collected a feed from Dueso before connecting with junior
Marc Torrellas at the top of the 18-yard box. Torrellas did the rest, unleashing a screaming right-footed blast that upped the gap to 3-0 as Loyola continued its unbeaten start to Valley play.
Looking At The Numbers
- Dueso scored his third goal of the season today, while Cisneros added his second in as many games. Both members of the duo provided the assists on Torrellas' first tally of 2021 in the second half.
- Hency was credited with helpers on Loyola's first two tallies. The Fenton, Mo. native currently ranks as the Maroon & Gold's overall points leader (14) with four goals and four assists to his name.
- For the second time in as many outings, Loyola did not allow its opponent a shot on goal, outshooting the Cougars by a 14-3 margin, en route to its fourth shutout across its last five games.
Up Next
Loyola heads to Springfield, Mo. on Saturday, October 9 to take on No. 18 Missouri State, the reigning MVC regular season and tournament champion.
