DES MOINES, Iowa (April 13, 2021)
 
In Short…
The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team (7-3-2, 5-2-1 MVC) finds itself just one win away from a second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament following a 4-1 victory over Drake (5-3-1, 5-2-1 MVC) this afternoon in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship.  Today's result from Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa sends the Ramblers to their third straight appearance in the league final.
 
Head Coach Neil Jones' Thoughts…
"Today was a complete team performance from our group, and our coaching staff couldn't be prouder.  Drake is a quality, veteran team, and we knew we had to put in a top performance to get to the championship game.  Now we rest up, and study up for the winner of tonight's game in Springfield."
 
How It Happened
Loyola dictated the pace of play early on a perfect day for soccer in Iowa's state capital.  Sophomore Oscar Dueso came close to putting the Ramblers on the board just 12 minutes in, unleashing a deep effort that cleared a leaping Drake goalkeeper Jared Brown, only to strike the crossbar.  Fellow sophomore Andrew Mitchell made a bid for an opener in the 24^th minute, heading towards the near post off a corner kick, but saw his try cleared off the line.
 
The Maroon & Gold found its breakthrough in the 33^rd minute.  After junior Fabian Becerra was taken down in the 18-yard box, junior Billy Hency stepped up and slotted home from the penalty spot, giving the Ramblers a 1-0 lead.  Erik Sigman put the hosts back on level terms only four minutes later, sending a left-footed free kick from 28 yards out off the Rambler wall and into the back of the net, knotting the game up at 1-1.
 
As time began to tick away in the first half, Loyola founds its way back on top with a bit of luck with three minutes remaining.  Sophomore Marc Torrellas curled a corner kick deep into the box that caromed off Sigman and past Brown, sending the Ramblers into halftime with a 2-1 edge.
 
Loyola wasted no time in adding insurance in the second half.  With only two minutes gone, senior Tyler Biggs delivered a low cross that connected flush with Dueso, who directed in from the edge of the six-yard box to push the margin to 3-1.
 
Any hopes of a comeback by the hosts were put away by Torrellas in the 73^rd minute.  Following a feed from freshman Nick Mair, Torrellas settled and chipped over an onrushing Brown from 25 yards out, stretching the gap to 4-1 as the Ramblers punched their ticket to this weekend's final.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Loyola's four goals scored this afternoon are the most in an MVC semifinal since a 4-0 Creighton win over Vanderbilt during the 2005 league tournament.
- Hency's opening goal was his team-best sixth of the season and third successful attempt from the penalty spot in as many tries.  The Ramblers are now a perfect 7-0-0 on the year when scoring first.
- Dueso and Torrellas both tallied the first goals of their respective Loyola careers today.
- Junior goalkeeper Simon Jillson finished with a pair of saves en route to his fifth win of the year.
- The Ramblers and Bulldogs didn't shy away from physicality, combining for 33 fouls and three yellow cards.
 
Up Next
Loyola advances on to the MVC Championship title game, where it will battle top-seeded No. 13 Missouri State for The Valley's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, April 17 in Springfield, Mo.  Kickoff from Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium is set for 2 p.m.