Men’s Soccer Draws with Dayton

The Loyola men’s soccer team fought to a 2-2 finish, drawing in their first Atlantic 10 matchup of the season against the University of Dayton Sept. 21 at Hoyne Field.

The impact of the 85 degree heat led to two breaks being called for player rehydration and rest. Head coach Steve Bode said the heat had a major impact on his gameplan.

Dayton opened the game with an offensive possession, but quickly found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline three minutes in.

A throw-in from graduate defender and midfielder Julian Cisneros into the box bounced around before landing directly at the feet of second-year defender Grant Bailey. 

His shot bounced inside the far bottom right of the net, making it 1-0 and giving Bailey his first goal of the season and of his Loyola career.

Dayton squandered an offensive opportunity two minutes later when graduate Flyer defender Geni Kanyane’s free kick flew over the heads of multiple Loyola defenders, and the receiving fourth-year Dayton forward Ethan Sassine slipped offside. 

In the 15th minute, first-year Flyer forward Andrew Armstrong stormed the left side of the net, spaced himself from a defender and shot, with the ball slamming into the post and out of bounds.

On a free kick, Kanyane put the ball just over the hands of diving redshirt second-year goalkeeper Aidan Crawford into the top post, where it bounced straight down for Dayton’s graduate midfielder Hjati Sigurdsson to tap in the 1-1 equalizer.

Several minutes later, Sassine was given a yellow for a late tackle on third-year midfielder Ben Bischof, the last major action before a break was called two minutes later.

In the 25th minute, Loyola regained the lead at 2-2 after a cross from Cisneros flew past graduate Dayton goalkeeper Dario Caetano and found its way to third-year forward Hugo Uridales for a cross-body finish.

Loyola got another chance two minutes later when Cisneros lofted a pass upfield for redshirt third-year Matthew Andrusko, but his shot was straight at Caetano.

With two minutes left in the half, Dayton had an opportunity when a freekick was received by a flying Sigurdsson. He was unable to get full head contact on the ball — which flew wide left of the net — and the half drew to a close with Loyola up one.

The Flyers got their first second half opportunity in the 48th minute when a pass inside the box caught Crawford out of position. Hansonn’s attempt to clear didn’t get enough elevation, but Dayton first-year midfielder Frederik Perlman’s shot went well over the top bar.

Dayton had another attempt fall short when a corner kick led to Armstrong’s shot from outside the box deflecting off a Rambler and into the referee for an immediate drop ball. Loyola gained control and moved down the field, but were held up by a staunch Dayton tackle.

In the 56th minute, Kanyane was given a yellow for a rough tackle on Andrusko, who was promptly subbed out and didn’t return for the rest of the match.

Dayton’s second-year midfielder Brandon Seel gave the Ramblers a scare in the 62nd minute with a shot that just sailed over the top corner of the net. On Loyola’s following possession, both Cisneros and first-year midfielder Luka Ivancic argued with the referee and received yellows. Another yellow card was issued to Sigurdsson four minutes later for a poor tackle.

Dayton got their equalizer after they were given a freekick opportunity. Second-year Flyer midfielder Miles Bonham retrieved Kanyane’s free kick and sent it into Crawford’s arms. Sigurdsson gathered the rebound and tapped in the ball to tie the match at two.

Dayton nearly snatched the lead back in the 82nd minute, when a through ball from Armstrong to first-year Dayton forward James Lear resulted in a penalty kick after Crawford drew contact while diving.

Crawford commented on the play and how he planned to respond.

“I created the problem for myself,” Crawford said. “I dug myself a hole, but I was telling my teammates after that call that I had their back that I would clean it up and I focused myself, took a step away from the foul I had committed and then got ready.”

Sigurdsson’s attempt went in the same direction as Crawford’s dive and rebounded off the post before being cleared.

The match ended 2-2, with Dayton unable to take advantage on two more shots.

During the match, Dayton took a total of 18 shots — twice as many as Loyola. The Ramblers were more physical, committing 18 fouls to Dayton’s 11.

Bode acknowledged team’s youth and how they remain a work in progress.

“The ability to finish off a game to make it 2-1, we’re not there yet and obviously Dayton’s making it really hard on us as well,” Bode said. “I was proud of a lot of the moments, but we got to shore things up at times to be able to get the win and get the three points instead of the one.” 

The Ramblers will look to remain undefeated at Hoyne against DePaul University Sept. 24 at the annual “Hustle to Hoyne” event. The match starts at 7 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.