McFeely Muscles Men’s Soccer to Win Season Opener

Loyola Men’s soccer was triumphant during their regular season opener against Oakland University in a 3-2 win at Hoyne Field Aug. 21. The Ramblers were led by third-year midfielder Jack McFeely, who scored the second goal and recorded an assist in the first half.   

The match began with an immediate power struggle as both teams fought for possession of the ball through quick passes, until third-year defender Grant Bailey gained control of it. A quick kick out from Oakland led to the first goal kick from Grizzlies redshirt third-year goalkeeper Aiden Smith.

Fourth-year forward Hugo Urdiales attempted a shot at the goal, but it landed off target, and Oakland’s Smith was awarded a goal kick. Within the next seven minutes, the Ramblers and Grizzlies traded off receiving fouls — first-year forward Antonio Pinto earning the first for Loyola.

As players raced for possession of the ball in the 11th minute, the Grizzlies took control near midfield, allowing third-year forward Andriy Bilous to shoot on target. The Ramblers’ third-year goalkeeper Gabe Velasco initially prevented the ball from entering, but fourth-year midfielder Marco Mazzei quickly intercepted the ball to score the first goal of the match, leading the Grizzlies to 1-0.  

Within the next seven minutes, Loyola received three corner kick opportunities. Smith kicked the first corner out of the field, resulting in the second chance from Urdiales. The shot missed its target and went out on Loyola, leading to a goal kick from Smith before Loyola was awarded their third corner kick at 18 minutes in.

With an assist from McFeely, Pinto shot for the top right of the goal and scored to tie the match at one for the Ramblers with his first career goal.  

After fourth-year midfielder Abdul Al-Rashed shot a corner kick for the Grizzlies, McFeely prevented the momentum gain by kicking it out of the way. Oakland fouled and Pinto made the first touch after Velasco kicked towards midfield. 

The ball remained unsettled until McFeely gained possession, taking the ball to the bottom right corner of the net to score, allowing the Ramblers to lead the match 2-1 in the 22nd minute.

A foul and yellow card for dissent on Loyola’s first-year defender and midfielder Joaquin Rodriguez led to a penalty kick from Oakland’s fourth-year forward Tim Allos. Allos scored in the bottom right, tying the match at two.

In the following 10 minutes, off-target goal attempts were made by Bilous and McFeely. 

With a little over five minutes on the clock, Urdiales shot to score but missed the target. The first half ended 2-2 after the Grizzlies’ Smith prevented a shot from McFeely from entering the net.  

Oakland started the second half with a corner kick, which second-year defender Daniel Firs blocked.

The next 15 minutes proved an offensive struggle as players from both teams attempted and failed various shots. Janjic shot to the bottom right and scored to take the lead 3-2 in the 61st minute, with assists credited to second-year midfielder Luka Ivancic and second-year forward Arved von Vegesack. 

Both teams held strong defensive positions while shots were passed back and forth, not quite reaching the nets.

Loyola received two more corner kicks, but both got knocked off course by the Grizzlies while Al-Rashed attempted to score through midfield but overshot and missed the goal.

With under eight minutes left, McFeely and Urdiales again attempted shots but missed their target. Following a final yellow card against Urdiales for unsporting in the 84th minute, Oakland and Loyola continued to intercept the ball from each other, preventing any more scores.

The match ended with ball struggles in the corner of the field, resulting in a victorious start to the Ramblers’ season. 

“It’s great, I couldn’t ask for anything more to be honest. The lads are buzzing, we’ve worked so hard in the preseason, everybody has been putting in the work every day,” McFeely said. “It just means so much to everybody.”

From limiting Oakland offensively in the second half to the chemistry the Ramblers had on the field, head coach Steve Bode reflected on how this year’s roster works on the field.

“It’s a maturing team. We’re not, I would say, experienced and old for college soccer, but we’re not as young as last year,” Bode said. “Experience is gold in college soccer, so the more experience you can get on the field, obviously that helps a lot and that ends up being something that helps you win games.”

The Ramblers will travel to Evanston, Ill. Aug. 29, where they will go head-to-head with Northwestern. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and can be streamed on the B1G+ network.