CHICAGO - The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team is gearing up for its season opener, hosting the Oakland Golden Grizzlies tomorrow (Aug. 21) at Hoyne Field.

KICKING OFF

• First touch is set for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+. Scott Sudikoff (play by play) and Loyola Chicago Hall of Famer, Jack Cannon (color), will call the call.
• The Ramblers welcome Oakland to Hoyne — which joined the Horizon League in Loyola's place following its 2013 departure — for the first time since the 2023 season.
• This season, LUC returns 17 student-athletes and seven starters who were responsible for 21 of the 24 goals scored in 2024. Additionally, 59 of 72 points accumulated were racked up by returning Ramblers.
• Last season, the squad—occupied by mostly newcomers—garnered a 5-9-2 overall record and was 3-4-1 in Atlantic 10 play. The Maroon and Gold were 4-2-1 inside the friendly confines of Loyola Soccer Park.
• Senior forward Hugo Urdiales is back and ready to pick up where he left off in 2024. The Santander, Spain, native led Loyola in goals (six), assists (four), points (16), shots (29), and shots on target (16).
• 2023 A-10 Goalkeeper of the Year Aidan Crawford is back between the posts. In 2024, he racked up 35 saves with his 1.65 goals against average.
• Head Coach Steve Bode is in his fourth season at the helm of Loyola Chicago men's soccer. He holds a 22-13-14 career record entering this season.
• Following Thursday, Loyola will prep for its annual Hustle to Hoyne match as the squad hosts Purdue Fort Wayne Sunday (Aug. 24) at 1 p.m.

GLANCE AT OAKLAND

• Head Coach Paul Doroh enters his second season with the Golden Grizzlies. Last season, he guided the team to a 9-7-2 (.556) overall mark and an impressive 6-1-2 record in conference play.
• Oakland placed second in the 2025 Horizon League Preseason Poll with 86 points, just one less than first place Green Bay, and received three first place votes, also one less than the Phoenix.
• Oakland returns 22 players from last season, including 13 who started at least one game in 2024. The team added transfers Tal Rokah and Josh Francou, both with overseas experience, and Detroit Mercy transfer Tim Allos, who impressed in the preseason.

NOTABLE NUMBERS AND NOTES

• After a breakout first season with Loyola Chicago, senior forward Hugo Urdiales earned a spot on the Preseason Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team last week.
• Urdiales, a 2024 Atlantic 10 All-Conference and CSC Academic All-District selection, started 13 of 16 matches in 2024 and logged 987 minutes on the pitch. The three-time A-10 Rookie of the Week scored the game-winner against VCU on Oct. 12.
• LUC was picked No. 7 in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches' Poll. Defending champion Dayton was picked to repeat, receiving a league-high eight first-place votes and 159 points, while George Mason and Saint Louis rounded out the top three. Loyola garnered 91 points in the poll, which is voted on by the conference's 13 head coaches.
• It was a busy offseason for the Ramblers. Grant Bailey was selected 86th overall by D.C. United in the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft but is back to continue play with LUC.
• Former Ramblers Julian Cisneros and Marc Torrelles were both signed to FC Naples in the USL League One. The duo has been very impressive in their rookie season with the club.
• The team spent spring break in Italy, spending time in Milan, Lake Como, Parma, and Rome while facing off against Serie D teams.
• LUC downed Northwestern to cap their spring slate, earning the Chicago Cup for the fourth time since its inception in 2010.
• Bode signed nine newcomers, including transfers from Notre Dame (Mateo Acosta) and North Carolina (Gabe Velasco).
• Assistant coach Ricardo Pinto is back on staff with LUC after a brief hiatus from the team. Kervin Kenton, a former pro, also came on board as a volunteer assistant coach.
• 2025 marks the first season without former A-10 member Massachusetts in the league. The Minutemen departed for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) last month.
• All conference teams will open play Thursday, except for George Mason, which begins its season Friday.

SERIES STUFF VS. OAKLAND

• In an all-time series that dates to 2010, LUC trails, 2-3.
• The Ramblers have played the Golden Grizzles twice in the last two seasons.
• Loyola Chicago won in 2023, 1-0, at home behind Petar Janjic's first career goal in the 75th minute of play. The Ramblers out-shot OU 22 (6) – 7 (2).
• Last season, Loyola Chicago fell, 2-1, on the road. The match was knotted at 1-1 before Oakland capitalized on a penalty kick to take a late lead in the 84th minute. The 'Blers racked up nine shots in the loss with four being on-target.
• The match featured six cautions, with four against Oakland and two against Loyola.
• Angel Mendez scored Loyola's lone goal in the matchup, with Janjic providing the assist. Janjic now owns a team-high three career points against Oakland.

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.