CHICAGO (August 25, 2022) – A new era commences for the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team this weekend as the Ramblers open the 2022 season with a pair of non-conference games at Loyola Soccer Park. The season opener is Friday against Bucknell with kickoff set for 5 p.m., followed by Sunday's 2 p.m. afternoon affair against the 25th-ranked Falcons of Bowling Green. Since 2018, the Ramblers are a combined 21-6-4 in games played at Loyola Soccer Park including four straight victories in home openers.
 
Sunday's match will serve as the program's annual "Hustle to Hoyne" game. The festivities begin with a 12:30 p.m. rally on the east quad of Loyola's Lakshore Campus that features a giveaway of t-shirts. After head coach Steve Bode speaks to the crowd, the march to Loyola Soccer Park begins at approximately 1 p.m. in preparation for the 2 p.m. kickoff.
 
2022 Preview: Loyola, which finished 9-5-2 (6-3-1 MVC) last season, is under the direction of first-year head coach Steve Bode.
 
Bode leads an experienced group into the program's inaugural campaign as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Ramblers were slotted fifth in the league's 14-team preseason poll with redshirt senior Michael Hong (Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills/Wisconsin) appearing on the preseason all-conference team.
 
Hong was also named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List, along with teammates Billy Hency (Fenton, Mo./Rockwood Summit) and Marc Torrellas (Barcelona, Spain/Escola Pia Sarria/Merrimack College). The highly-touted trio leads a heavy dose of veteran Ramblers, featuring 19 returners and 98 percent of the squad's overall points total from last fall.

Hency paced the Ramblers with career-high marks in points (26), goals (9) and assists (8), while ranking 18th in points per game throughout the season. The Fenton, Mo. native earned All-America Third Team (College Soccer News), First Team All-West Region (United Soccer Coaches) and Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and Forward of the Year laurels.
 
Loyola will entertain nine opponents on its home pitch during the regular season, including the 40th edition of the Red Line Rivalry against DePaul (Sept. 9). The first A10 home match is set for Saturday, Sept. 24, when the Ramblers host George Washington on Family Weekend.
 
vs. Bucknell: Both head coaches in Friday's match will make their debut with their respective programs. Dave Brandt, who is a 23-year coaching veteran with a combined six NCAA championships, was hired at Bucknell last December. Brandt takes over a Bison squad that finished 4-10-3 overall last season and 2-5-2 in the Patriot League. Jordan Miller, a junior forward from Kingston, Jamaica, is the team's leading returner after pacing the Bison with 12 points last season. Senior goalkeeper Bennett Schwartz (2-5-1) also returns after starting 14 of 17 matches.
 
vs. Bowling Green: Bowling Green will begin the 2022 campaign ranked 25th in the nation in the College Soccer News poll and tied for 25th in the United Soccer Coaches poll. Head coach Eric Nichols and the Falcons finished the fall 2021 season with an overall record of 11-6-3, and BGSU advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championships. BG picked up a 1-0 victory at Louisville in the first round of the national tourney, marking the fifth NCAA Tournament victory in program history. Alberto Anaya, a sophomore midfielder from Queretaro, Mexico, leads the group of returners after earning 2021 Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year. Anaya started all 20 matches and was second on the team in scoring with 14 points on five goals and four assists. Senior goalkeeper Logan Kowalczyk, a two-time All-MAC Second Team honoree, returns in goal after missing the final six matches last season due to injury.
 
Series Stuff: The season-opening weekend will feature Loyola's first-ever meeting against Bucknell and only the second matchup against Bowling Green. The Ramblers and Falcons first met on Oct. 2, 2005, when Loyola recorded a 3-2 overtime victory at Loyola Soccer Park.
 
Up Next: Following the opening weekend of action, Loyola will face three local rivals including Northwestern, UIC and DePaul. The Ramblers travel to Northwestern for a 7 p.m. match on Friday, Sept. 2, before heading to UIC for a 7 p.m. battle on Monday, Sept. 5 (Labor Day). Loyola returns home to host DePaul on Friday, Sept. 9.