CHICAGO - The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team is set to begin its 44th season Thursday at Michigan. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT inside U-M Soccer Stadium with the action streaming live on Big Ten Plus.

KICKING OFF

• Loyola Chicago enters the regular season with three exhibition matches under their belt. The Ramblers began the thee-game slate by hosting Wisconsin before traveling to Western Michigan. LUC ended the preseason with a neutral site meeting against Milwaukee.
• Following its road trip, Loyola Chicago will stay on the away from Hoyne Field for the Jesuit Invitational in Omaha. The 'Blers will take on Omaha and Creighton before facing off against Wright State on Sept. 5 for the home opener.
• This is the first time since 2004 Loyola has played three-straight games away from Rogers Park to open a season.
• After finishing second in the 2023 league standings, LUC was picked to finish fourth in this year's Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Maroon and Gold received two first-place votes in the poll.
• Goalkeeper Aidan Crawford, who was named the A-10 Goalkeeper of the Year in 2023, landed on Preseason All-Conference Team. He's the sole keeper on the A-10's preseason team.

GLANCE AT MICHIGAN

• In 2023, the Wolverines compiled a 5-6-7 overall record and were 2-1-5 in league play.
• U-M advanced past Northwestern in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Tournament, but fell, 4-3, to the eventual champions, Indiana, in the semis.
• 13th-year head coach Chaka Daley holds a 95-86-41 (.520) record at Michigan. He spent 2000-2012 at Providence.
• Bryce Belvins, a fifth-year, was second on the team last season with four goals. The Plainfield, Ill. native was named All-Big Ten Second Team in 2023.
• Sophomore keeper Isaiah Goldson is back for another season. He nabbed a spot on the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team with a .710 save percentage.
• The duo joins two others who were named in the Big Ten's postseason awards list.

NOTABLE NUMBERS AND NOTES

• The Ramblers open the season against a Big Ten opponent for the fifth time in program history and for the second straight season, having opened the 2023 campaign at Michigan State.
• Saturday marks the second time Loyola and Michigan have played each other in a season-opener, having kicked off the 2013 campaign in Ann Arbor.  U-M won that contest, 5-2.
• Loyola is 1-1-1 in season-openers against Big Ten foes (MSU was a no contest).
• The last time Loyola beat a Big Ten program was Oct. 9, 2019, when the Ramblers shut out Northwestern, 2-0, on the road. 
• 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.
• Thursday will be a homecoming for freshman Charlie Lacy who grew up in Ann Arbor, attending Skyline High School.

FOLLOW THE RAMBLERS
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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.