MILWAUKEE, Wis. (February 3, 2021) –
 
In Short…
Beto Marc Soto scored in the third minute of the first overtime to clinch a 1-0 victory for host Marquette (1-0-0) over the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team (0-1-0) in the 2021 spring season opener for both teams this evening at the Valley Fields Dome in Milwaukee, Wis.
 
Head Coach Neil Jones' Thoughts...
"While we're disappointed with a loss, we're encouraged by a lot of what we saw on the field tonight.  We had a number of quality chances to win the game, and just seeing the guys compete in a meaningful game against was fantastic.  Credit to Marquette for the win, and now we move on to prepare for Northern Illinois."

How It Happened
Opportunities came at a premium on both ends in the first 45 minutes.  Freshman Victor Viana tallied the first shot of the night seven minutes in, firing well high of goal from the edge of the box.  A free kick by Soto shortly after forced a leaping stop out of graduate student Marcel Kampman in the Loyola goal.
 
Loyola saw arguably its top chance of the first half fall to the feet of freshman Julian Cisneros in the 42^nd minute.  Following an impressive run down the left flank, senior Tyler Biggs sent a low ball across the face of goal that found Cisneros, who was unable to steer his attempt on target as the two Jesuit rivals headed to halftime in a scoreless deadlock.
 
The Ramblers had their chances in the second stanza to get in front.  Cisneros was turned away in the 51^st minute, while sophomore Marc Torrellas let fly with an ambitious effort from 25 yards out at the hour mark that just cleared the bar.
 
Sophomore Alex Moskal came dangerously close to netting a late winner in the closing seconds of regulation, only to see his headed effort parried away by Marquette netminder Chandler Hallwood, ensuring overtime would be needed.
 
Marquette wasted little time in hunting down the night's deciding strike less than three minutes into the first extra session.  Following a Rambler turnover, Christian Marquez fed a streaking Soto, who deposited his left-footed try in at the near post to clinch a season-opening with for the Golden Eagles.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Loyola closed the night with a 13-7 advantage in shots, while Marquette finished with a narrow 4-3 edge in shots on goal.
- Kampman, junior Simon Jillson, and freshman Alex Grow all saw time in goal for the Maroon & Gold this evening, with Kampman leading the trio with a pair of saves.
- The two teams didn't shy away from physicality, combining for 29 fouls and three yellow cards.
 
Up Next
Loyola is back in action in 11 days when it hosts Northern Illinois on Sunday, February 14 in a 1 p.m. kickoff at the Mercyhealth Sportscore Two complex in Loves Park, Ill.