CHICAGO – In its home opener under the lights, the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer earned its first win of 2024 with a 4-2 victory over Wright State Thursday night at Loyola Soccer Park. The Ramblers outscored the Raiders, 3-1, in the second half to seal the win.
"The win tonight was really important for this group," said Loyola head coach
Steve Bode. "We really made a conscious choice to go on the road for our first three games and test ourselves. We played three really good teams – we got the tie against Creighton but didn't get the results we wanted against Michigan and Omaha. But, we've learned a lot, and I think we're growing every single game. For us to get the win and get that feeling of victory, for this group, was really important tonight."
How it Happened
Early in the 16
th minute,
Julian Cisneros kick started scoring with a fantastic strike from just outside of the box.
Luka Ivancic, recording his first collegiate point, dished the Elk Grove Village, Ill. native the ball, and Cisneros did the rest.
Later in the 36
th minute, Wright State leveled the affair, 1-1, with a goal before the halftime break.
Ivancic got the final 45 minutes going with his first goal as a Rambler, scoring in the 54
th minute.
Hugo Urdiales fed Ivancic the ball inside the box as the Chicago native blasted the one-timer into the back of the net.
Seven minutes later, the Raiders again knotted the game with a goal in the 62
nd minute. It didn't take Loyola Chicago long however to regain its lead. Not even two minutes later, Ivancic secured a brace after scoring his second goal of the match thanks to a set piece loose ball that found him at the top of the box. Taking only one touch again, the freshman blasted the ball past the keeper.
The Maroon and Gold logged one last goal before the action ended. In the 75
th minute, Urdiales found the ball after a chaotic sequence in the box. Assisted by
Ben Bischof, the international transfer scored his first goal as an NCAA student-athlete and bolstered Loyola's lead to 4-2 before full time.
Notes
- Loyola was out-shot by WSU, 14-12, but led in shots on-goal, 6-4.
- Aidan Crawford notched a pair of saves between the posts, both in the final 45 minutes.
- Ivancic led the way with a career-high four shots (three on-goal) and five points in the win.
- Urdiales was close behind with three shots, two of which were on-target.
- Michael Hong had two shots.
- Bischof posted his first assist of the season.
Up Next
Loyola Chicago will stay in Chicago, but travel to Flames' Field for its next match. The 'Blers are set to take on crosstown rival, UIC, Thursday, Sept. 12, with kick off slated for 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
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