CHICAGO (March 25, 2021) – The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team (3-2-2, 2-1-1 MVC) plays its penultimate home game of the 2021 spring season on Friday afternoon when it welcomes No. 10 Missouri State to Loyola Soccer Park for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
 
Last Time Out: Loyola saw its five-game unbeaten run come to an end last Thursday, dropping a 2-1 decision to Drake in Des Moines, Iowa.  Goals from Erik Fahner and Leroy Ezugusi staked the hosts to a 2-0 lead, before Julian Cisneros pulled a goal back for the Maroon & Gold, scoring his first collegiate goal with only 40 seconds remaining in regulation.
 
vs. Missouri State: Missouri State, which opens a three-game road trip against the Ramblers on Friday, has opened the season a perfect 6-0-0, a mark that includes a sparkling 5-0-0 record in Missouri Valley Conference play.  The Bears, who were picked as the MVC preseason favorite, appear at the No. 10 spot in this week's United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll.  Six-time MVC Coach of the Year Jon Leamy returns 12 letterwinners from last season's squad that finished 18-1-1 overall (10-0-0 MVC) en route to advancing to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.  The pairing of Nicolo Mulatero and Jesus Barea lead the attack in the offensive third for Leamy's side.  Mulatero has racked up four goals and five assists to sit atop the team leaderboard in overall points (13), while Barea is just five back in the category with three goals and two assists to his name.  Reigning MVC Goalkeeper of the Year Michael Creek anchors a Bears' defensive unit that has allowed only three goals this season.  Creek owns a 0.49 goals against average and a 0.813 save percentage.
 
Series Stuff: Friday's matinee will be the 15th installment in the rivalry between Loyola and Missouri State in men's soccer.  The Bears hold a 7-4-3 lead (.607) lead in the all-time series.  After dropping its two meetings during the 2019 regular season with Missouri State, the Ramblers exacted a measure of revenge in the MVC Men's Soccer Championship title game, winning on penalty kicks, 5-4, following a 1-1 double-overtime draw. Tyler Biggs scored with only 1:05 to play in regulation, before an Ethan Stoneman penalty kick clinched Loyola's first Valley tournament crown in program history.
 
Up Next: Loyola wraps up its season series with Bradley on Tuesday, March 30.  Kickoff from Shea Stadium is set for 6 p.m.