CHICAGO (October 7, 2022) – As conference play heats up, Loyola University Chicago (5-2-3, 1-2-1) will play its next four games on its home field starting with Saturday's match against 16th-ranked Dayton (8-0-2, 2-0-2). Both teams are coming off a draw this past Wednesday, as the Ramblers, who already have a win over a nationally-ranked opponent this season, look to deal the Flyers their first loss while remaining unbeaten at Loyola Soccer Park.

Last Time Out
Despite a major shot advantage, Loyola was forced to work its way back from a deficit, twice, while playing to a 2-2 draw Wednesday at VCU. Senior midfielder Oscar Dueso's 87th-minute header was the equalizer after the Ramblers outshot the Rams 31-9 in the matchup. Freshman midfielder Ben Bischof netted his first career goal to even the score at 1-1 in the final seconds of the first half. Senior midfielder Billy Hency recorded two assists while sophomore Benni Hofmann also had an assist.

Home Field Advantage
Loyola Soccer Park has become a challenging place to play for men's soccer opponents over recent years. Since the start of the 2018 season, the Ramblers hold a record of 26-6-4 (.824) in home matches played at Loyola Soccer Park. Going back to the 2014 season, Loyola has earned a point in over 85% of the matches played in its home stadium, posting an overall record of 49-9-10. Impressively, the Ramblers went undefeated at Loyola Soccer Park in three straight seasons from 2014 to 2016 (20-0-4). Saturday afternoon, Loyola will seek its sixth straight home win, which would mark the highest home win streak since the 2016 campaign (9-0).
 
Glance at Dayton
Dayton enters the game with an unbeaten record of 8-0-2 overall and 2-0-2 A-10 mark. The Flyers are coming off a disappointing draw at St. Bonaventure Wednesday and will look to earn its third road win of the season. Head coach Dennis Currier is in his 18th season in charge of the Flyers and was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year for the 2020 season. UD is led by seniors Forster Ajago, Manny Day, and Andy Sanchez, who each have five goals apiece. Freshman Joseph Melto Quiah is tied for the team lead with five assists on the year to go with two goals and leads the team in shots. Junior goalkeeper Dario Caetano has five shutouts in his debut campaign.

Series Stuff
Saturday's matchup will feature the eighth meeting between Loyola and Dayton, and the first since the 2014 season when the Ramblers blanked the Flyers 2-0 in Rogers Park. The Flyers hold the all-time series lead with a 5-2 record dating back to 1987. In three home games against the Flyers, Loyola is 2-1.
 
Up Next
Loyola will welcome La Salle over Alumni Weekend for a 3 p.m. match on Saturday, Oct. 15.