Men’s Soccer Defeats La Salle in Agressive Match

The Loyola men’s soccer team beat La Salle University 2-1 Saturday, Oct. 19 at Hoyne Field. Third-year forward Hugo Urdiales and graduate defender and midfielder Julian Cisneros scored the two Rambler goals of the match. Loyola is currently ranked 10th in the Atlantic 10 with a conference record of 2-3-1. 

The Ramblers maintained possession of the ball for 67% of the first half, with eight shots and four on target. 

In the eighth minute, Urdiales took a corner kick, which was kicked out by La Salle second-year defender Tobi Osoba. Two minutes later, first-year defender Nicholas Roe committed a foul on Explorer graduate forward Colin Beasley, awarding La Salle possession of the ball, which was quickly taken back by Loyola in midfield.

In the 14th minute, Urdiales took two consecutive corner kicks, both of which were kicked out by the Explorer defense. Urdiales then took a shot on goal at the 20th minute, but La Salle third-year goalkeeper Randy Burkhardt dove to save it. 

Roe was fouled by Osobo in the 22nd minute, which gave Loyola an opportunity to take the ball downfield. Second-year forward Petar Janjic got off a shot, but the ball soared right of the goal. 

One minute later, Cisneros committed a foul on Explorer graduate midfielder Nevin Baer, which led to a La Salle possession, resulting in a shot towards the goal but no contact with the net. 

Urdiales took another corner in the 27th minute, only to have the ball headed out by Explorer graduate midfielder Andrew Rosenbaum. In the 44th minute, first-year midfielder Luka Ivancic took a shot which sailed high over the goal, as the first half ended scoreless.

Loyola head coach Steve Bode said keeping up possession to control the game was the Ramblers’ game plan for the second half.

“We wanted to keep possession, but also be more dangerous and get more service that crosses into the box,” Bode said. “An emphasis at halftime was to get more actions in the box to be able to create more chances.”

Loyola quickly opened the half with a shot from Cisneros, but it was headed out by La Salle second-year defender Leon Steffen. In the 51st minute, Steffen committed a foul against third-year forward Angel Mendez, who’s shot on goal went high over the bar.

In the same minute, Loyola was awarded two consecutive corner kicks, both taken by Urdiales. The first kick sailed over the goal while the second resulted in a header from Roe which went to the left of the goal. 

Third-year midfielder Ben Bischof committed a foul on Explorer graduate midfielder Drew Blackwell in the 55th minute, giving Blackwell the opportunity to shoot the ball, which was saved by Roe.

La Salle second-year midfielder Yuval Nimrodi fouled second-year defender Grant Bailey in the 59th minute, receiving a yellow card for arguing with the official. Following the yellow card, Loyola kept possession of the ball and stayed aggressive in their play. 

In the 63rd minute, Urdiales scored by sinking the ball in the lower left corner of the net, giving Loyola the 1-0 lead.

Three minutes later, first-year midfielder David Siemionko fouled Blackwell. He was given a consequential yellow card for sliding into Blackwell and only making contact with his ankles. La Salle used the opportunity to take the ball into Rambler territory, where Baer easily sunk the ball into net, evening the score. 

In the 72nd minute, Loyola was awarded two consecutive corner kicks. The first kick from Urdiales sailed over the heads of his teammates while the second was headed by redshirt third-year midfielder Quentin Blair, who missed the net. Loyola was given another chance at a corner two minutes later, but failed to score. 

In the 80th minute, Cisneros scored the second Rambler goal of the game off an assist from Janjic. The ball soared into the upper right corner of the net, giving Cisneros his second goal of the season. Four minutes later, Cisneros was booked with a late yellow card for fouls on the Explorers. 

The game ended with a foul on Ivancic from Beasley in the 88th minute. Loyola kept the ball out of the Explorer’s reach, securing the tough win. 

Discussing the La Salle goal, Bode said earlier in the year they would likely have ended in a tie. 

“The fact that we’re able to respond and shake the opposing goal off showed a lot of growth,” Bode said. “I was proud of that.”

The Ramblers play next against Olivet Nazarene University Tuesday, Oct. 22nd. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Hoyne Field and is available to stream on ESPN+.