The Loyola men’s soccer team took the home pitch for the first time this season against Lindenwood University.
The Loyola men’s soccer team took the home pitch for the first time this season against Lindenwood University.
The Loyola men’s soccer team took the home pitch for the first time this season against Lindenwood University during the annual Hustle to Hoyne match where the Ramblers won 2-0.
Hustle to Hoyne is held during Welcome Week and includes a pre-game pep rally at St. Ignatius Plaza, between de Nobiliall and the Institute of Environmental Sustainability, featuring members of the Rambler Spirit Teams and the Band of Wolves. Following the on-campus festivities, attendees make the mile-long hike to Loyola Soccer Park located at 6336 W. Devon Ave. to watch the Ramblers play.
“It’s a big moment for our team and for our players because we know it is going to be a great crowd,” head coach Steve Bode said. “And they know, at the end of the day, the spirit at the game is going to be electrified by the crowd that was behind us.”
The match started with minimal action. Forward John Gates used his speed to outrun the competition and midfielder Marc Torrellas had massive control over the ball while weaving in and out of the Lions. Despite controlling the pace of play and outshooting Lindenwood 10-1, the Ramblers ended the half scoreless and tied 0-0.
The second half started with a yellow card given to Lindenwood midfielder Josh Francombe in the 47th minute followed by the Ramblers kicking off strong with teamwork between midfielder Jason Ybarra and forward Oscar Dueso.
Midfielder Markus Maurer shot past the Lindenwood goalkeeper to score the first point of the match – and his first goal of the season – in the 59th minute, which was assisted by Lukas Ender and Dueso.
Two minutes after entering the game, defender Benni Hofmann sunk the ball into the net for his first goal of the season, giving the Ramblers a more comfortable lead. For the second year in a row, Hofmann scored the final goal in the Hustle to Hoyne match.
Hofmann said the Hustle to Hoyne event means a lot to him and the team, especially after he was forced to sit out for six months due to a foot injury.
“This is the game of the year for us, every year,” Hofmann said. “Having the cheerleaders here and all the fans of course, and girlfriends and people you see in the classroom normally gives us an extra push to win the game. That’s why I think we always play well that game.”
The game concluded after four more yellow cards — three against Lindenwood’s Parker Smith, Jermaine Mentoor and Cooper Wilson and one against Loyola’s Dueso. Goalkeeper Lucas Daunhauer faced his first and only save of the game on a shot to the far left side of the net, securing the win for the Ramblers.
“We had a couple personnel changes in the wide areas and we were able to get more service in the box, which we needed to do,” Bode said about the energy change between halves. “We really just got guys kind of crashing in and getting on the end of service and if they didn’t score on the first, they would score on the second.”
The Ramblers are set to take on Cleveland State on Friday, Sept. 1 in Cleveland before returning home to play Oakland University on Monday, Sept. 4. The games are scheduled for 5 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively, and are set to stream on ESPN+.
Featured image by Aidan Cahill | The Phoenix
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