CHICAGO (September 3, 2021)
In Short…
Erik Smits' goal in the 71
st minute proved to be the difference as visiting Northwestern (1-1-1) dealt the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team a 1-0 defeat this evening before a raucous crowd of 1,007 fans at Loyola Soccer Park. Tonight's result sees the Ramblers fall to 2-1-0 on the year.
Head Coach Neil Jones' Thoughts…
"Credit to Northwestern. They had a good game plan and fought really hard tonight. While we're disappointed with the result, the atmosphere tonight was great for both teams, Chicago soccer, and college soccer. We really appreciate the community, the students, and all the fans for coming out to support us tonight."
How It Happened
Loyola generated a pair of opportunities in the night's opening quarter-hour, with freshman
John Gates heading wide of goal in the seventh minute before junior
Oscar Dueso saw his headed effort denied by Northwestern goalkeeper Miha Miskovic four minutes later. Gates found himself back in the mix again in the 27
th minute, sending a blast just wide of the far post.
The Ramblers came dangerously close to edging in front in the 40
th minute. Senior
Billy Hency sent a ball into the box that was redirected on goal by redshirt junior
Alex Alfaro, but Miskovic was up to the task in goal, making a diving save to send the two local rivals to halftime deadlocked at 0-0.
Hency wasted no time coming out of the intermission in going after his fourth goal of the year, heading a free kick delivery from junior
Marc Torrellas on frame, only for Miskovic again to come up with a stop. Graduate student goalkeeper
Marcel Kampman gradually saw more action at his end of the field as the second half wore on, turning away Vicente Castro on back-to-back occasions before collecting Bardia Kimiavi's shot in the 63
rd minute.
Northwestern found what would be the night's deciding goal with just under 20 minutes to play in regulation. Kimiavi sent a cross into the box that found a leaping Erik Smits inside the six-yard box. Smits did the rest, heading in at his near post to put the Wildcats on top, 1-0.
Loyola nearly provided an immediate answer in the 73
rd minute, as sophomore
Lukas Ender rose up to meet a service, but saw his header ring off the post before being cleared from danger. A last-ditch effort from Hency in the 88
th minute sailed high of goal, as Northwestern escaped Rogers Park with a road victory.
Looking At The Numbers
- Loyola finished the night with a 12-7 edge in shots, putting three attempts on target compared to four from the visitors.
- Hency, Torrellas, and Gates each registered three shots.
- Kampman paced the Ramblers' defensive efforts with three saves.
- All but two members of Loyola's starting lineup played a full 90 minutes as part of an intensely physical affair that included six yellow cards.
Up Next
Loyola is back on the road on Monday, September 6 for a 3 p.m. (CT) matchup with Michigan at U-M Soccer Complex in Ann Arbor, Mich.
