CHICAGO (August 29, 2021)
In Short…
Senior
Billy Hency converted on a pair of penalty kicks, while freshman
John Gates enjoyed a breakout performance as the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team improved to 2-0 on the young season following a 4-2 win over visiting Western Michigan (0-2-0) in the 2021 home opener this evening at Loyola Soccer Park.
Head Coach Neil Jones' Thoughts…
"That's a big win for us. Western Michigan is a very good program and we have a ton of respect for them. We had to fight, grind, and battle because they're a very physical team with a lot of good players, especially in the attacking half of the field. To score four goals at home is great. I thought there were some great performances and I'm really happy with the win."
How It Happened
It took Loyola all of eight minutes to net the night's first goal. Sophomore
Lukas Ender went on a spirited run into the attacking third before playing a ball through to Gates, who slipped his right-footed effort past an onrushing Ethan Brandt, the Western Michigan goalkeeper, and into the back of the net to give the Ramblers a 1-0 edge.
The visitors answered back just four minutes after Gates' opener, with Max Keenan finishing from a tight angle at the near post to put the Broncos back on level terms, 1-1, in the 13
th minute. Graduate student goalkeeper
Marcel Kampman came up with a terrific stop on Keenan's bid for a second goal five minutes later, punching away his long-distance blast to keep the score knotted up.
Loyola opened up a two-goal edge within a span of 2:01 in the middle stages of the first half. The Ramblers edged back in front in the 24
th minute, with Gates feeding junior
Oscar Dueso, who directed his try from 12 yards away into the back of the net to make it a 2-1 lead for the Maroon & Gold. Gates was back in the mix again shortly after, drawing a foul inside the 18-yard box that led to Hency calmly slotting home from the penalty spot to up the margin to 3-1.
Western Michigan looked to reclaim some momentum heading into the locker room, as Charlie Sharp finished from inside the box in the 41
st minute to trim Loyola's advantage to 3-2 at halftime.
The Broncos wasted little time in pursuing an equalizer coming out of the intermission. Sharp looked to have pulled Western Michigan level in the 49
th minute as he rose up to head a corner kick delivery on frame, only to see his attempt cleared off the line. Another set piece opportunity provided an opening for the visitors with just under 15 minutes to play in regulation, but the crossbar intervened, with Daniel Nimick's free kick from 23 yards out ringing off the woodwork.
Hency put away any remaining suspense in the 83
rd minute. After drawing a foul inside the box, the senior stepped up to smash home his second successful kick from the spot on the night, doubling the lead, 4-2, and ensuring a win for the Maroon & Gold to open their home slate.
Looking At The Numbers
- Hency, who has a team-high three goals to his name through the season's first two games, is now a perfect 5-for-5 on penalty kicks for his career.
- Gates was electric, notching his first collegiate goal and assist, the latter of which came on Dueso's first-half goal.
- Ended notched his first career assist on Gates' opening tally, while senior
Giann Magno was also credited with a helper on Dueso's goal.
- Kampman registered a pair of saves, as Western Michigan closed the night with a 15-10 edge in shots.
- The two teams combined for 38 fouls and three yellow cards.
Up Next
Loyola takes on a pair of opponents from the Big Ten Conference next week. The Ramblers will host Northwestern on Friday, September 3 at 7 p.m. in the program's annual "Hustle to Hoyne" game before heading to Ann Arbor, Mich. on Monday, September 6 for a 3 p.m. (CT) clash with Michigan.
