CHIACGO - The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team won't have to travel far for its fifth game of the season as it faces crosstown rival UIC Thursday night on the road. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT with the action stream live on ESPN+.

KICKING OFF

• Loyola stands 1-2-1 thus far in 2024, having played three-straight road matches to open the season. LUC hadn't played three-straight road games to start a season since 2004.
• The Ramblers are coming off a 4-2 victory - its first of the season - last Thursday at home versus Wright State.
• Forward Luka Ivancic lit up the scoreboard with two goals and an assist, marking a career-high five points for the freshman.
• Julian Cisneros and Hugo Urdiales also scored their first goals of 2024 in the win as well. 
• Ben Bischof (1), Urdiales (2), and Ivancic (1) tallied assists on the four goals.
• 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 UIC

• Head coach Sean Phillips is in his 15th season at the helm of UIC men's soccer. He's amassed a 132-97-27 record with the Flames.
• UIC is 2-3 thus far in 2024. The Flames opened the season with a narrow 4-3 loss to DePaul at home.
• After earning their first win of the season behind a 4-2 triumph over Green Bay, UIC fell in back-to-back ranked, Big Ten matchups. The Flames fell at No. 22 Wisconsin, 5-1, and at home versus No. 12 Northwestern, 1-0.
• Most recently, UIC shutout Oakland on the road, 1-0, last Friday.
• Bart Muns paces the UIC attack with three goals and one assist for seven points (seventh-most in MVC). He has four shots on-goal for a SOG percentage of .444.
• Oren Asher, who's allowed 12 goals so far, mans the Flames' pipes. He's faced 62 shots and owns 21 saves. His 4.20 saves per game leads the Valley.

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 boast an undefeated streak of 114 matches when scoring two or more goals, a record that dates to September 30, 2017.
• Luka Ivancic and Nicholas Roe, two newcomers, have started all of Loyola's matches thus far.
• According to the NCAA, Loyola Chicago has the 19th-toughest schedule in DI men's soccer with a .694 percentage. As far as A-10 schools go, only Fordham, who currently has the toughest schedule in the nation, has a harder schedule. 
• Aidan Crawford has faced 58 shots thus far in the season. Last year, he faced 107 total. The keeper has averaged 4.25 saves per game, ranking fourth in the league. His 17 total saves also rank fourth.
• 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. UIC

• In an all-time series that dates to 1990, Loyola trails 14-18-4, to its former Horizon League foe. Since 2010 however, the Ramblers hold a 7-3-2 edge.
• In matches played on UIC's home turf, the series is deadlocked, 9-9-2. 
• In the most recent meeting, UIC pulled out a 2-1 win over Loyola in Rogers Park on Sept. 8, 2023.
• The Flames used a fourth-minute goal to strike first before Oscar Dueso leveled the match in the 29th minute. The Flames scored the game-winner in the 67th minute to earn the victory.
• In that match, Loyola led 14-13 in shots, and in corners, 6-5. Julian Cisneros had a match-best four shots.
• The Maroon and Gold have remained undefeated on UIC's home field since 2018. Prior to that, Loyola's last loss at UIC came in 2012.

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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.