In Short…

Goals from redshirt sophomore Grant Stoneman and sophomore Connor Stevenson helped propel the Loyola University Chicago men’s soccer team to a 2-0 win over No. 12/8 Utah Valley this afternoon at the NIU Adidas Invitational in DeKalb, Ill.  Today’s result sees the Ramblers continue their perfect start to the season at 4-0-0, while the Wolverines fall to 3-1-0.

 

Coach Jones’ Thoughts…

“I thought today was a great team performance.  We were able to limit a team with a ton of attacking talent to only a few chances.  We took our opportunities well and were able to hold on to get a win against a top program.  Now we turn our attention to Binghamton and have a lot of work to do before we face an unbeaten opponent on Sunday.”

 

How It Happened

Following an early save by redshirt junior goalkeeper Andrew Chekadanov, Loyola began to establish itself in the Utah Valley third of the field.  Junior Brody Kraussel and sophomore Alec Lasinski each forced saves out of Elliot Rubio, the Wolverine netminder, in rapid succession.

 

The Maroon & Gold’s early persistence was rewarded in the 21^st minute.  Stoneman, the Missouri Valley Conference’s reigning Defensive Player of the Week, collected a Utah Valley turnover inside the six-yard box following a Loyola free kick.  The Saint Charles, Ill. product took full advantage of the miscue, firing his attempt past Rubio to give the Ramblers a 1-0 lead that would stand heading into halftime.

 

Loyola looked prime to double its advantage just two minutes after the intermission when junior Elliot Collier was brought down inside the 18-yard box.  It was not to be though as redshirt senior Ryan Howe was unable to convert on the resulting penalty kick, keeping the lead a 1-0.

 

As Utah Valley continued to struggle for quality opportunities against an organized Rambler defense, Loyola was able to take advantage with the Wolverines pushing forward in the 75^th minute when senior Kirill Likhovid connected with Stevenson.  The Woodbury, Minn. native calmly slotted his attempt into the back of the net to add a vital insurance goal.  Chekadanov was forced into one more save before all was said and done as Loyola collected its third shutout in as many games.

 

Looking At The Numbers

- Loyola is now off to its best start in program history at a perfect 4-0-0.

- Today’s victory was the Ramblers’ first over a ranked opponent since a 1-0 victory over then No. 20 Northwestern back on Oct. 29, 2014.

- Stoneman’s first-half tally was the first of his collegiate career as the center back played all 90 minutes for a fourth consecutive contest.

- Chekadanov finished the day with a pair of saves as Loyola extended its streak of holding opponents scoreless to 284 consecutive minutes.

 

Up Next

Loyola will look to run its winning streak to five when it wraps up play at the NIU Adidas Invitational against Binghamton at 11 a.m. on Sunday morning.

 

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