CHICAGO - The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team is aiming for its second straight win as it hosts La Salle on Alumni Day this Saturday (Oct. 19). First touch is slated for 2 p.m. CT with the match streaming live on ESPN+. Scott Sudikoff (PXP) and Loyola Hall of Famer, Jack Cannon (Commentary), will call the action live.

PROMOTION

• The Ramblers will be celebrating and honoring its vast alumni base at Saturday's match. If you're a Loyola soccer alumnus who would like to learn more about the schedule of events, contact Associate Head Coach, Graham Brennan (gbrennan@luc.edu).
• Students can receive a free Uber voucher to Loyola Soccer Park for Saturday's match! Stay tuned to @RamblersMSOC on Instagram for more information on how to enter. 25 winners will be selected.

KICKING OFF

• Loyola Chicago is fresh off a 2-1 road win at VCU this past Saturday. The win snapped Loyola's four-match skid and was the team's first win since beating Wright State on Sept. 5.
• After the Ramblers trailed, 1-0, coming out of the halftime break, VCU's own goal and Hugo Urdiales' free kick goal propelled the team to victory late in the second half.
• The win was LUC's first ever over VCU, having previously lost and tied the Rams since joining the Atlantic 10.
• Hugo Urdiales recorded the game-winner in the 83rd minute, scoring a free kick goal from 10 yards outside of the box.
• The goal, plus his score in the 19th minute against No. 13 George Mason Wednesday, Oct. 9, helped the forward tally Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors for the second time this season. 

GLANCE AT LA SALLE

• Head Coach Taylor Thames is in his fourth season guiding La Salle men's soccer. He holds a 21-33-11 (.408) record in Philly.
• The Explorers are 5-6-3 overall and own a 2-2-1 record in A-10 play. La Salle is 2-2-2 in road matches.
• La Salle most recently defeated Neumann University, 6-0, this past Monday at home. Prior to that match-up though, the Explorers fell, 1-0, versus St. Bonaventure.
• La Salle's 197 total shots rank third-most in the league. Meanwhile, their 1.07 goals against average ranks fourth-least in the A-10.
• Colin Beasley leads the team and is fifth in the conference in goals per-game with .500. He's scored seven throughout 2024. Likewise, his 1.07 points per game ranks ninth in the league.
• La Salle has utilized three goalkeepers through the season. Randy Burkhardt has a team-high 598:53 minutes between the posts. His record in goal is 3-3-1 with a .692 save percentage.

NOTABLE NUMBERS AND NOTES

• Last season, Loyola Chicago compiled an 8-2-5 overall record and was 4-1-3 in conference play.
• In its third season as part of the Atlantic 10, LUC looks to earn its first conference championship since 2019.
• The Ramblers return 16 student-athletes from the 2023 roster, including nine with starting experience under their belt.
• Along with their returners, the Ramblers added 13 key pieces to the 2024 roster, including 10 freshmen and three transfers.
• The Ramblers remain undefeated when scoring two or more goals, a streak that has been ongoing since Sept. 30, 2017.
• As of Oct. 10, Loyola Chicago has the 40th-toughest schedule in DI men's soccer based on the NCAA's database. LUC's schedule is the fifth-toughest in the A-10 based off the same database.
• New to the 2024 season, the clock will stop for substitutions during the final 15 minutes if the game is tied or if the leading team makes a substitution. Substitutions are allowed during any stoppage in play. Additionally, teams are now permitted six substitutions per game.

SERIES STUFF VS. LA SALLE

• Loyola's all-time series with La Salle dates to 1992, making it the program's third-oldest rivalry against A-10 opponents.
• Having lost just once to the Explorers, the Ramblers lead the all-time series, 5-1.
• In the most recent meeting on Oct. 4, 2023, the Maroon and Gold shutout La Salle, 3-0, on the road.
• The Loyola Chicago back line held the Explorers to just one shot through the full 90 minutes.
• Jack McFeely netted his first career goal in the win. Markus Maurer and John Gates also scored for the 'Blers.
• The shutout marked Loyola's fifth of the 2023 season.

FOLLOW THE RAMBLERS
Fans can receive the most up-to-date information by following @RamblersMSOC 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.