CHICAGO - The Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team prepares to host Wright State tomorrow (Sept. 4) at Loyola Soccer Park for its fourth tilt of the season. First touch is set for 7 p.m. with the game streaming live on ESPN+. Scott Sudikoff (play by play) and Loyola Chicago Hall of Famer, Jack Cannon (color), will call the game.

KICKING OFF

• The Ramblers are fresh off a meeting with Northwestern this past Friday. The two teams battled to a 1-1 draw after a scoreless first half.   
• Freshman Antonio Pinto's late goal in the 84th minute secured the result, keeping the Ramblers unbeaten on the season at 1-0-2.
• Pinto racked up a career-high five shots with two landing on-goal. He's tied for ninth in the conference in goals per game.
• Jack McFeely picked up his second assist of the season.
• Keeper Gabe Velasco recorded a career-best four saves against 15 Northwestern shots. His 1.00 goals against average is tied for the fifth-best mark in the league.
• The Ramblers' 11 shots against the Wildcats brought the team to 41 total, tied for fifth-most in the Atlantic 10.
• Also making his mark in the conference is Hugo Urdiales' 3.00 shots per game (nine total), tied for the sixth most.
• Following Thursday, Loyola Chicago heads to Lincoln Park for the Red Line Rivalry, facing DePaul this Sunday (Sept. 7) at 4 p.m. CT.

GLANCE AT WRIGHT STATE

• Head Coach Alex Van der Sluijs is in his third season at WSU with a 11-21-7 (.372) record. He owns a 76-100-21 (.439) career record.
• WSU is searching for its first win of the 2025 campaign, having been dealt losses via Belmont, Bowling Green, and Lindenwood.
• Henry Hutchinson leads the team in shots with seven under his belt.
• Keeper Alessandro Malterer has five saves after facing 19 shots so far.

NOTABLE NUMBERS AND NOTES

• Hugo Urdiales, a 2024 All-Conference and CSC Academic All-District pick, started 13 matches with 987 minutes last season. A three-time A-10 Rookie of the Week, he led Loyola in goals, shots, and points. He was recently named to the A-10 Preseason All-Conference Team.
• 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.
• 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 an 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) in July.
• 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. Likewise, Bode signed nine newcomers to add firepower to the squad.
• Head Coach Steve Bode is in his fourth season at the helm of Loyola Chicago men's soccer. He holds a 23-13-16 career record with the Maroon and Gold.

SERIES STUFF VS. WRIGHT STATE

• In an all-time series that dates to 1991, LUC has a slight 11-10-2 edge.
• The two squads were Horizon League rivals from 1994 to 2013.
• Loyola has won six of the last nine meetings.
• Last season on Sept. 5, 2024, Loyola pulled out a 4-2 win at home.
• Luke Ivancic burst out on the scene, scoring two goals and garnering an assist for his first collegiate points.
• Ivancic also led the way with four shots.
• Loyola was out-shot by WSU, 14-12, but led in shots on-goal, 6-4.

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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.