CHICAGO (Oct. 19, 2023) – Coming off a massive 3-1 win over then nationally ranked Saint Louis last Saturday, the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team aims to raise its chances of hosting an Atlantic 10 Tournament quarterfinal round. The task? A road matchup with Rhode Island this Saturday.  

WHEN AND WHERE
The two squads will battle it out this Saturday (Oct. 21) in Kingston, R.I. The match is set to start at 6 p.m. CT at URI Soccer Complex.

HOW TO WATCH
The match will be live streamed to ESPN+. Fans can follow the live stats free of charge.

NOTES

• After downing then No. 25 Saint Louis, 3-1, last Saturday at home, the 'Blers end its road slate this Saturday at URI.
• It was the program's second-ever win over the Billikens with the last triumph coming during the 1996 campaign. SLU's 12-match unbeaten streak in A-10 regular-season and tournament games, dating to 2022, came to an end.
• Loyola got on the board early with Oscar Dueso's goal in the 18th minute. In the 30th, Petar Janjic notched the game-winner with his head. SLU scored in the 50th, but Julian Cisneros' last-minute goal put the Maroon and Gold out of the Billikens reach.
• With the win, Loyola Chicago is tied for the No. 3 spot in the A-10.
• Loyola Chicago looks to end the season undefeated on the road (4-0-2), a feat the program hasn't accomplished since 2000.
• The Ramblers enter Saturday with two of their student-athletes earning conference and national recognition this past week: Freshman Janjic was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week and senior Cisneros was tabbed to the College Soccer News Men's National Team of the Week.
• Following Saturday, Loyola Chicago has just one regular season match left as it hosts Fordham Oct. 28.
• An impressive 12 separate Ramblers have recorded a goal while 14 have at least one assist this year.
• Loyola has shutout five teams this season.
• With just 13 goals allowed thus far, Loyola holds the No. 4 spot in the league in GA (1.08 pg).
• On the opposite side of the field, Loyola Chicago averages 2.333 goals per-game, leading the conference.
• The squad is second the A-10 and is fourth in the NCAA's ranking of shots per-game with 17.42. Oscar Dueso leads the team with 34.
• Nationally, the team is ninth in shots on-goal per-game (7.00).
• Dueso (2.83 pg) and Torrellas (2.50 pg) are eighth and tenth, respectively, in the A-10's top shooters.
• Noel Hansson, a defender, leads the team in minutes played with 1,043. He's missed just 37 minutes of action.
• LUC is out-scoring its foes, 28-13.
• The team is also out-shooting opponents, 209-96. The Ramblers have out-shot every foe, besides Dayton, thus far.
• LUC leads the A-10 in assists (29), goals (28), and points (85).

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

• After drawing with Brown, 0-0, this past Tuesday, URI enters Saturday with a 4-6-4 overall mark and a 1-4-1 record in A-10 play.
• The team's sole league win was a big one as the squad downed the No. 25 Fordham, using a second-half goal from Brandon Bermingham and a solid performance from keeper Edu Rodriguez.
• Bermingham leads the team in the attacking third with his five goals and 10 points. Rodriguez has allowed 21 goals with a save percentage of .625. He's faced 130 shots thus far.

THE HISTORY

• Being one of Loyola's newest series, the two teams met for the first time last season in LUC's inaugural A-10 campaign.
• On Oct. 22, 2022, senior midfielder Billy Hency scored his sixth goal as Loyola Chicago played to a 1-1 draw against Rhode Island in the team's regular season home finale at Loyola Soccer Park.
• Loyola registered a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal and 12-4 total shots advantage.
• The 'Blers held a 5-1 edge in corner kicks and didn't surrender a corner try until the opening minute of the second half.
• Hency and John Gates each tallied two shots on goal, while Julian Cisneros and Oscar Dueso each registered a shot on target.

LOOKING AHEAD
Following Saturday, Loyola will play its final regular season contest at home as it hosts Fordham next Saturday (Oct. 28) at 2 p.m.

FOLLOW THE RAMBLERS
Fans can receive the most up-to-date information by following the Ramblers on X and Instagram.
 
Tickets for Loyola Chicago's home games are on sale now! Adult tickets are priced at $7. Youth (ages 4-14) and faculty/staff tickets are available for $5. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets at a reduced rate of $3 each. These group tickets need to be purchased in advance. You can arrange your group outing by calling 773-508-WOLF. Click here to purchase.