CHICAGO (October 8, 2021) – Fresh off back-to-back wins last week and unbeaten in its last five games, the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team (6-2-1, 3-0-1 MVC) will head to Springfield, Mo. on Saturday for a clash with No. 11 Missouri State in a battle of the two hottest teams in the Missouri Valley Conference.  Kickoff from Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium in set for 6 p.m.
 
Last Time Out: Loyola found the back of the net three times over a 17:35 span as it cruised to a 3-0 win over SIUE last Sunday at Loyola Soccer Park.  Julian Cisneros opened the scoring in the 37^th minute before Oscar Dueso and Marc Torrellas added goals in the early stages of the second half.  Billy Hency was credited with assists on each of the Maroon & Gold's first two goals.
 
In honor of their respective performances last week, which helped Loyola to a pair of victories, Hency was tabbed the MVC Offensive Player of the Week, while Cisneros took home Valley Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 
vs. Missouri State: Ranked No. 11 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25, Missouri State enters the weekend at 8-1 overall with a perfect 4-0 ledger in Valley play.
 
Since dropping a 3-0 decision to Tulsa back on September 3, the Bears have rattled off six straight victories, most recently dispatching Bradley, 1-0, last Saturday at Shea Stadium in Peoria, Ill.
 
Led by head coach John Leamy, who is in his 30th and final season at the head of the Bears' bench, Missouri State's attack is spearheaded by Jon Koka, who has scored a team-high four goals this season, sharing the league lead in the category with Hency.  Kyle Hiebert and Nicolo Mulatero have each added three goals, while Kian Yari has been credited with an MVC-best five assists.  Former MVC Goalkeeper of the Year Michael Creek is in the midst of another strong season, owning a 1.00 goals against average across seven appearances.
 
Series Stuff: Saturday's showdown in the Ozarks marks the 18th installment in the rivalry between Loyola and Missouri State in men's soccer, a series in which the Bears hold a 9-5-3 (.618) edge.
 
The two teams have met in each of the last two MVC Championship title games, with Loyola winning on penalty kicks back in 2019 in Rogers Park before Missouri State picked up a 1-0 victory this past April in Springfield, Mo.
 
When Loyola and Missouri State last battled during the regular season on April 8, 2021, Hency and Andrew Schweinert found the back of the net as the Ramblers snapped the Bears' 25-game regular-season win streak in a 2-0 triumph.
 
Up Next: Loyola returns to action on Saturday, October 16 when it welcomes Evansville to Loyola Soccer Park.