Men’s Soccer Falls Short Against the University of Rhode Island

The Loyola men’s soccer team fell to the University of Rhode Island Oct. 4 by a final score of 1-0. The loss brings the Rambler’s record to 1-7-2.

The match got off to a rough start as both sides committed fouls within minutes of the first whistle. Graduate defender Julian Cisneros got off the first shot attempt in the first minute, which was blocked by multiple Rhode Island defenders.

10 minutes after the first attempt, second-year Petar Janjic had three free-kick opportunities following three Rhode Island fouls. 

The Ramblers’ first corner kick in the match came in the 16th minute by first-year mid-fielder Benji Chavarria. His pass into the box was received by first-year defender Daniel Firs, who’s attempt failed to get past the Rams defense.

Rhode Island committed two fouls, on third-year midfielder Ben Bischof and Cisneros, which eventually led to three unsuccessful Loyola corner kicks, all taken by Chavarria.

In the 23rd minute, Rhode Island dispatched their first attempt at goal with a shot aimed at the bottom right corner, which was saved by second-year goalkeeper Aidan Crawford.

A yellow card was given to first-year midfielder David Sieminoko three minutes later for persistent infringement. This led to a direct shot by third-year Rhode Island midfielder Joan Sanchis which was ultimately off-target.

Within the span of a minute the Ramblers managed three shots, one each from Firs, second-year defender Grant Bailey and Blair. The first and third attempts were off target, while the second attempt was blocked by Rhode Island’s fourth year goalkeeper Edu Rodriguez.

Blair took another corner kick for Loyola. Graduate defender Michael Hong received the kick and took a shot, but Rodriguez was able to make the save.

The Ramblers received a second yellow card in the 38th minute, given to Hong for persistent infringement.

Between the 39th and the 41st minutes, Loyola attempted three more shots. First-year midfielder Luka Ivancic and first-year forward Arved Von Vegesack both had shots end up off-target, while Rodriguez denied another opportunity from Cisneros.

The final minute of the half drew to a close as first year midfielder David Simenionko and Hong were each unable to convert on shots, and Rodriguez was issued a yellow card for persistent infringement.

The first shot of the second half came in the 54th minute, when a Bailey shot aimed at the top center of goal and was stopped by Rodriguez. A second Rhode Island yellow card was given in the 56th minute, which set up two unsuccessful opportunities from Ivancic and Bailey.

After fouls by Janjic and second-year Rhode Island defender Lucas Lykkegaard, the first and only goal of the game was scored by Rhode Island forward Iñigo Etxegarai in the 76th minute after the Rambler’s loss possession of the ball on their side of the field.

Following the goal, Rhode Island committed several more fouls but contained any consequential Rambler offensive opportunities.

Loyola’s last opportunity at the net was stopped in the 86th minute, as the Ramblers got called for offsides and the match came to a 1-0 close.

After the team’s disappointing loss, Loyola head coach Steve Bode spoke out on the outcome of the game and how they performed.

“Disappointing end result for sure,” Bode said. “We had some really good looks on goals especially in the first half. We certainly created enough but we just weren’t able to get the one we needed.”

Despite the loss, Bode and the rest of the coaching staff continue to have faith in the team’s strong recovery to being down.

“We never gave up,” Bode said. “They were pushing even when they went down a goal, and they continued to push to get a goal. You can see that resiliency and effort carry through.”

The Ramblers’ next slew of games bring them to Virginia. Their first match is Wednesday, Oct. 9 against George Mason in Fairfax at 7 p.m. with the second Saturday, Oct. 12 against Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond at 7 p.m.. Both games will be available to stream on ESPN+.