CHICAGO (September 7, 2022) – Coming off back-to-back draws, the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team returns to action Friday night in the 40th edition of the Red Line Rivalry against DePaul. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Loyola Soccer Park for the city rivalry, which will simulcast on NBC Sports Chicago and ESPN Plus. Both sides look to remain unbeaten while entering the match with identical records at 2-0-2 and only one goal allowed.
 
Last Time Out
Loyola, which received votes in the latest College Soccer News national poll, registered its third consecutive clean sheet on Monday night in a 0-0 draw at UIC. That followed a 0-0 draw last Friday at Northwestern, as the Ramblers pressured in the later stages with close-call shots on goal but were unlucky in both outings. Monday's match was the first time Loyola had fewer shots than its opponent this season, but the Ramblers outshot the Flames 5-3 in the second half. Loyola logged a healthy 15-5 advantage in shots against NU. Goalkeeper Simon Jillson matched his season-high mark with three saves on Monday, while raising his save percentage to 90%. The graduate student from Chicago has already equaled his previous season-high shutout total with three clean sheets. Redshirt-senior Billy Hency leads the way with four points on two goals that were scored in the season-opening win over Bucknell. Hency has produced a team-high eight shots on target, followed by five shots on goal from senior Marc Torrellas. Sophomore Benni Hofmann netted the most recent goal for the Ramblers with the game-winner against No. 25 Bowling Green.
 
Glance at DePaul
DePaul enters Friday's match after nearly picking up a road win at Notre Dame, but ultimately played to a 1-1 draw in South Bend, Ind. on Tuesday night. Junior midfielder Jacob Huth scored quickly out of the halftime break, giving the Blue Demons the lead during most of the second half until Notre Dame found the late equalizer. It was the first goal allowed by DePaul this season. Prior to the last outing, the Blue Demons opened the campaign with three straight shutouts in wins over Oakland (1-0) and Bucknell (2-0), and a scoreless draw with No. 25 Bowling Green. DePaul is led by fifth-year head coach Mark Plotkin, a DePaul alum who holds a 21-30-13 record during his tenure. Four different players have scored a goal for the Blue Demons through four games, including Huth, Jake Fuderer, Marek Gonda and Sam Moore. Fuderer, who was named All-Big East Second Team last year, has 34 career points with 10 goals and 14 assists.
 
Series Stuff
When the ball is rolled out Friday night, Loyola and DePaul will meet for the 40th time in a series that dates back to 1981. Loyola leads the all-time series 20-14-5 and the Ramblers haven't dropped a match against DePaul since 2013 – a span of eight consecutive meetings (5-0-3). The Ramblers won the most recent match against DePaul by a 2-1 final score on the road last season. The teams were tied at halftime before Hency struck the game-winner in the 52nd minute. Graduate student Jack Richards scored the lone Blue Demons' goal in last year's rivalry match, while Hofmann netted the first goal for the Ramblers. The teams last met at Loyola Soccer Park in 2019 with Loyola posting a 4-2 victory.
 
Up Next
Following the match against DePaul, Loyola is slated to host non-conference foe IUPUI at 6 p.m. Tuesday night, before opening conference play on the road against Duquesne on Saturday, Sept. 17.