CHICAGO - The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team hosts Purdue Fort Wayne this Sunday (Aug. 24) at Hoyne Field. First touch is set for 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+. Scott Sudikoff (play by play) and Loyola Chicago Hall of Famer, Jack Cannon (color), will call the call.

KICKING OFF

• The first 500 students to arrive at the pep rally at St. Ignatius Plaza, beginning at 11:30 a.m., will receive a voucher redeemable at the game for a free replica Loyola soccer jersey.
• After the pep rally, fans will march down Devon Avenue with the pep band and cheerleaders to cheer on Loyola.
• Loyola Chicago opened the season Thursday with a 3-2 win over Oakland at Hoyne Field. Jack McFeely and Antonio Pinto scored early before Petar Janjić's game-winner in the 62nd minute sealed the victory for the Ramblers.
• 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.
• 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).
• Head Coach Steve Bode is in his fourth season at the helm of Loyola Chicago men's soccer. He holds a 23-13-14 career record with the Maroon and Gold.
• Following Sunday, LUC faces off against Northwestern Friday (Aug. 29) in Evanston.

GLANCE AT PURDUE FORT WAYNE

• Head Coach Stephen Gorton is in his sixth season at the helm of the Mastodons. He holds a 24-38-12 career record.
• PFW was 7-7-2 overall and 4-4-1 in Horizon League play last season. 
• Purdue Fort Wayne earned a 3-3 draw at DePaul in its 2025 season opener (Aug. 21).
• Transfer Iann Topete scored twice in his Mastodon debut (65', 77').
• The Mastodons held an 18-14 edge in shots.

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.

SERIES STUFF VS. PURDUE FORT WAYNE

• In an all-time series that dates to 2001, Loyola leads, 3-0-0.
• The most recent meeting occurred on Sept. 6, 2013.
• Loyola earned a 1-0 victory at PFW at the Hefner Soccer Complex.
• Jake Savino scored in the 83rd minute, finishing a setup from Dane Bergstrom and Eric Nock for his first goal of the season.
• Goalkeeper Tim Dobrowolski notched his second consecutive shutout, as the Ramblers held a 6-3 edge in shots and 5-0 margin in corners at halftime.
• Purdue Fort Wayne hasn't visited Loyola Soccer Park since Sept. 14, 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.