In Short…

Goals in the first half from freshman Aidan Megally and sophomore Alec Lasinski helped send the No. 15/6 Loyola University Chicago men’s soccer team by Northern Illinois tonight, 2-0, at Loyola Soccer Park.  With the win, the Ramblers move to 11-1-1 (4-0-1 MVC), while the Huskies slip to 1-8-4 (0-1-1 MAC).

 

How It Happened

Loyola dominated possession for large spells of the opening half as it pinned the Huskies back in their own third.  Lasinski nearly had the Ramblers on top inside six minutes when he fired just wide of goal.  Redshirt senior Ryan Howe unleashed a screamer from 30 yards out eight minutes later that sailed just wide as well. 

 

The Ramblers found their breakthrough in the 29^th minute via the combination of junior Brody Kraussel and Megally.  Kraussel raced down the right side and sent a service into the box that Megally met at the far post.  The Park Ridge, Ill. native clinically headed back across the face of goal and in to put Loyola on top, 1-0.  Lasinski added some insurance exactly two minutes after when he rifled home a cross from freshman Marius Kullmann to give the Maroon & Gold a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.

 

Both sides struggled to gain a foothold on the action after returning from the locker room.  Junior Elliot Collier notched the first shot of the second stanza for either team in the 63^rd minute when his attempt went wide.  Lasinski came close to adding an assist to his line for the night shortly after when his cross connected with a sliding senior Kevin Engesser, who also pushed his try wide.

 

The Rambler defense continued to allow Northern Illinois no breathing room in its offensive third as regulation wound down.  The Huskies notched their lone try of the evening in the 85^th minute when Artur Kielar skied his attempt from 10 yards out.  Loyola slammed the door shut from there to wrap up a 2-0 victory.

 

Looking At The Numbers

- Tonight’s win sees Loyola extend its home unbeaten run to 25 games. That streak is the longest of its kind in Division I men’s soccer.

- The Ramblers also picked up their second win in as many seasons over their in-state rival to the west this evening.  Loyola is unbeaten (2-0-1) against Northern Illinois in the last three meetings between the two teams.

- Megally’s tally in the 29^th minute was the first goal of his collegiate career.  He is the 11^th different Rambler to find the back of the net this season.

- Kraussel dished out his team-best ninth assist on Megally’s goal.  The Milwaukee, Wis. product currently leads the Missouri Valley Conference in the category and unofficially ranks second nationally.

- Lasinski’s strike that followed was his sixth of the year, a mark that leads Loyola’s roster and is tied for second overall in the Valley.

 

Up Next

Loyola can now turn its attention to a showdown with Missouri State on Saturday in a clash of the top two teams in the Missouri Valley Conference table.  Kickoff from Loyola Soccer Park is set for 7 p.m.

 

#Loyola University Chicago: Preparing people to lead extraordinary lives#