CHICAGO - The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team is preparing to host Rhode Island tomorrow (Oct. 5) at Loyola Soccer Park. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT with the action streaming live on ESPN+.  Scott Sudikoff (PXP) and Jenna Ross (Color) will call the match.

PROMOTION
Students can enter to win a free Uber ride to Hoyne Field! Keep an eye on @RamblersMSOC on Instagram for more information.

KICKING OFF

• Loyola Chicago is searching for its first conference win of the season, having tied Dayton to open league play before falling, 2-1, at Saint Louis most recently.
• A win over the Rams Saturday would mark Loyola's first over Rhode Island in series history. The two teams met for the first time ever when Loyola Chicago joined the A-10 in 2022 (more on series history below).
• LUC is searching for its second win of the season, having beaten Wright State, 4-2, at home in early September. 
• Most recently, the Maroon and Gold fell, 2-1, at Saint Louis this past Saturday on the road.
• Jack McFeely scored his second goal of the season in the 90th minute, erasing SLU's hopes of a shutout.
• Prior to that match, the Ramblers lost, 3-1, to crosstown rival DePaul in the annual Red Line Rivalry.
• Luka Ivancic, who leads the team in points (seven), goals (three), and shots (20), scored in the 74th minute.

GLANCE AT RHODE ISLAND

• Head Coach Gareth Elliott is in his 12th season guiding Rhody. He holds a 143-111-38 career record and is 101-71-29 at URI.
• Patrick Gryczewski leads the A-10 in game-winning goals with an average of .400 per game. He's ninth in the A-10 in points per-game (1.00).
• Brandon Bermingham is eighth in the league in shots per-game (2.75).
• Keeper Edu Rodriguez paces the conference in saves per game (4.83), save percentage (.879) and goals against average (.667).
• The Rams hold a 6-1-3 record and are 1-1 in A-10 matches, having lost, 2-0, at VCU before beating St. Bonaventure, 4-3, at home.
• URI most recently faced Bryant at home this past Tuesday.
• Bryant, a strong team from the America East, forced a 0-0 draw with the Rams.

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. 1, Loyola Chicago has the 44th-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. RHODE ISLAND

• The all-time series, that has just two iterations, is deadlocked, 0-0-2.
• The Ramblers first met URI in its inaugural season as an A-10 member in 2022.
• The match ended in a 1-1 draw at Loyola Soccer Park with Billy Hency scoring Loyola's lone goal in the 16th minute.
• In the most recent meeting (Oct. 21, 2023), the two teams battled to a 0-0 stalemate in Kingston.
• With the draw, the Ramblers ended the regular season undefeated in road contests and clinched its spot in the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

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.