In Short…

Sophomore Alec Lasinski found the back of the net with just under 15 minutes remaining in regulation to propel the No. 17/11 Loyola University Chicago men’s soccer team past SIUE, 1-0, this evening at Loyola Soccer Park.  With the win, Loyola continues its perfect start to the season at 7-0-0 (2-0-0 MVC), while the Cougars slip to 1-4-2 (0-1-0 MVC).

 

Coach Jones’ Thoughts…

“Tonight was a big win.  SIUE is a very good team and won the regular season conference title last year.  It was a high energy game from both teams in front of an excellent crowd.  It was also nice for us to be back home after being on the road for a while.  We’re very happy with taking all three points tonight.”

 

How It Happened

Chances were at a premium for both teams in the early stages of the first half.  Mathias Ebbesen notched the first attempt on target of the night in the 12^th minute when his headed attempt was easily corralled by redshirt junior goalkeeper Andrew Chekadanov.  Freshman Aidan Megally looked to head home a cross from senior Kirill Likhovid only five minutes later and suffered the same fate as his try was turned away by Kyle Dal Santo, the Cougar netminder.

 

With time winding down, Loyola generated the best chance of the first half for either team in the 44^th minute.  Junior Brody Kraussel sent a ball across the face of goal that connected with sophomore Ryan Walker.  The Cedar Rapids, Iowa product attempted to direct his shot in at the near post from inside the six-yard box, only for it to be cleared off the line by the SIUE defense as the game headed to halftime knotted up at 0-0.

 

Kraussel nearly got the Ramblers off to a flying start in the second half only five minutes after the restart.  The junior broke free from the Cougar defense and unleashed a screaming blast that was parried away by Dal Santo to keep the game scoreless.  Elliot Collier came within inches of putting the Maroon & Gold in front in the 67^th minute as he headed a Kraussel cross just wide of the near post.

 

Loyola found its breakthrough tally in the 76^th minute.  Likhovid sent a long pass down the right flank that connected with a streaking Kraussel, who raced towards the edge of the box and sent a cross towards goal.  Lasinski did the rest as he directed it past a sprawling Dal Santo to give the Ramblers a 1-0 lead.  Devyn Jambga came close to pulling the visitors level less than five minutes after when his sliding attempt rung off the post and deflected away from goal.  Loyola would go on to dominate possession down the stretch en route to picking up its seventh consecutive win to open the season.

 

Looking At The Numbers

- Loyola’s victory this evening extended its home unbeaten run to 23 games.  The Ramblers currently stand alone as the lone team in Division I with a perfect record.

- Lasinski’s goal, his first collegiate game-winner, was his third of the season and ties the Ann Arbor, Mich. product for the team lead.

- Kraussel picked up his team-best sixth assist of the season on Lasinski’s tally.  He currently leads the Valley in the category and ranks third overall nationally.

- The Rambler defense once again put in a strong performance this evening en route to picking up its sixth straight shutout.  Loyola has now held opposing teams scoreless for 554 consecutive minutes.

 

Up Next

Loyola steps up out conference play for a road test against No. 12/10 Creighton on Tuesday evening.  Kickoff from Morrison Stadium in Omaha, Neb. is scheduled for 7 p.m.

 

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