LEADING OFF
Loyola Chicago (5-1-2) hosts Fordham (5-2-1) in the Atlantic 10 opener on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. at Loyola Soccer Park. Both teams are on the hunt for their first conference victory and sixth win overall.
QUICK KICKS
- Ramblers tandem Allison Deardorff and Zoe Hevey were awarded the A-10 Defensive Player of the Week and Co-Offensive POTW (Sept. 15), respectively, for their standout performances on the road last week. Both of their contributions led Loyola to a 4-0-1 road record in nonconference play, which is a program-best since at least 2004.
- The redshirt sophomore goalkeeper had a combined 10 saves against Eastern Michigan (Sept. 11) and Marquette (Sept. 14), including a season-high seven-save shutout at EMU for her second weekly honor this season. She leads the league in two categories: goals against average (.375) and shutouts per game (.750).
- Junior forward Hevey earned her first weekly nod this year after scoring her first career brace, both unassisted goals, at EMU. At Marquette, she assisted Molly Pistorius' goal in the sixth minute, which was the Ramblers' first shot of the match.
- Hevey is currently tied for 17th in the NCAA Division I with a 2.00 shots on goal average while Deardorf's GAA ties her for 17th nationwide.
- Loyola enters its conference slate with the program's best season start since 2022 when the Ramblers opened 4-2-2 before conference play.
- The Ramblers are No. 7 in the eastern region of the United Soccer Coaches Top 10 Regional Rankings.
- Loyola welcomed 10 newcomers to their 2025 roster, including five true freshmen and five transfers while 18 Ramblers returned.
- At the helm of the program is head coach Jon Sandoval in his first season at Loyola.
SCOUTING REPORT
The Rams come to Rogers Park after a 3-2 win over Yale to close out its nonconference schedule. Sophomore forward Liina Tervo had a two-goal game, including the game-winner in the 88th minute from a penalty kick. Starting keeper Kayla King had two saves to improve to 4-1 overall.
Tervo was the other A-10 Co-Offensive POTW on Monday after recording two goals and an assist on the week. She ranks second in the league in goals (6) and points (14), and leads the A-10 in game-winners (3).
SERIES HISTORY
The all-time series between the Ramblers and the Rams is even at 1-1-1. Loyola picked up its first win over Fordham in the first meeting ever in 1998, then Fordham leveled the series with its first victory in 2016. The Jesuit pair met as conference opponents for the first time last season, which resulted in a 2-2 draw in the Bronx.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
This match will not be live streamed. Be sure to follow the Ramblers on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Find more content on our YouTube channel.
