CHICAGO (August 14, 2021)
 
In Short…
Junior Jason Ybarra and sophomore Lukas Ender each found the back of the net as the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team picked up a 2-0 win over visiting Green Bay in the exhibition opener for both teams this afternoon at Loyola Soccer Park.
 
Head Coach Neil Jones' Thoughts…
"It's great to be back at home and have some people in the stands again.  We really appreciate the fans coming out.  There was some good noise and it was a great atmosphere."
 
How It Happened
Both sides struggled to generate chances in the opening minutes on a warm, late summer afternoon in Rogers Park.  Junior Oscar Dueso notched the first attempt for either side in the 20^th minute, but saw his try blocked by a Green Bay defender.  Just before the half hour mark, senior Billy Hency registered a pair of efforts, the second of which was cleared off the line to keep the game scoreless.
 
Loyola continued to ramp up its pressure as the half wore on and was rewarded for its persistence in the 39^th minute.  Following a spirited run down the right flank, graduate student Tyler Biggs sent a low ball across the face of goal that connected flush with Ybarra, who directed home from the edge of the six-yard box at the far post to send Loyola charging into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
 
Green Bay made a bid for an equalizer in the early stages of the second half, but sophomore goalkeeper Alex Grow was up to the task in net, calmly collecting Juan Pablo Delgaldillo's free kick from 25 yards out.
 
Less than two minutes after turning away Delgaldillo's blast, the Ramblers doubled their lead through a set-piece opportunity.  Freshman Benni Hofmann sent a corner kick into the box that found the head of Ender.  Ender did the rest, heading into an open net to push the margin to 2-0, as Loyola cruised to a comfortable victory in its exhibition opener.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Loyola closed the day with statistical advantages across the board, including a 12-5 edge in shots.
- The Maroon & Gold placed six of its tries on target, led by two shots on goal from freshman Matthew Andrusko.
- Physicality wasn't lacking, as the Ramblers and Phoenix combined for 33 fouls.
 
Up Next
Loyola plays its second of three exhibition tilts on Tuesday when it hosts Milwaukee.  Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. at Loyola Soccer Park.