Men’s Soccer Burned by Flames Following Loss

Loyola Men’s soccer suffered a burning loss against the University of Illinois-Chicago Sept. 15 after the Flames converted two set pieces into goal-scoring opportunities to take the game 3-1. First-year forward Antonio Pinto led the Ramblers with his fourth collegiate goal while third-year defender Jacobo Cruz scored the final two game-winning shots for UIC.

Two minutes into the game, first-year defender Daniel Zepeda was the first to find an offensive opportunity for the Flames, but redshirt third-year goalkeeper Aidan Crawford jumped out to the right to block the shot out of bounds. UIC was then awarded a corner but failed to capitalize on the kick. 

Fourth-year midfielder Rui Reis took a shot on goal, but his attempt was blocked. Zepeda found his way up to the net after another failed corner kick from UIC, but his shot fell off target.

Third-year defender Sota Nakazono received a third corner kick chance for UIC in the sixth minute after he overshot the top left. Second-year defender Daniel Firs knocked the corner off course with a header.

Within the next seven minutes, the Flames displayed heavy offensive pressure, taking six more shots at the net, with a few falling off target and Crawford blocked another kick by Ruis.

In the 16th minute, Pinto found Loyola’s first opportunity at the net but overshot the attempt on the left side. Two minutes later, with his back facing the goal, fourth-year forward Hugo Urdiales performed a bicycle kick towards the goal but overshot and missed.

Following an unsuccessful shot by Pinto, the Flames’ third-year midfielder Edouard Nys found a clearing and sent the ball to the right of the net, but it fell wide.

In the 26th minute, third-year defender Grant Bailey kicked a hard drive to Urdiales, who crossed the ball with a head butt, as Pinto ran up to score in the top center, allowing the Ramblers to take the lead 1-0.

A few minutes after an off-target shot sent by second-year midfielder Luka Ivancic, the Ramblers were awarded a corner. Firs headed it off course and was fouled for unnecessary shoving, which occurred during the play.

After a play set up by second-year midfielder Carlos Nevarez and Nakazono, Nys held possession of the ball and, with a quick fake out on a Loyola defender, found a clear shot and scored in the top left to tie the match at one in the 34th minute.

Seconds later, third-year midfielder Adrian Biaggi was assessed a yellow card for unsporting, after tripping Loyola’s second-year midfielder David Siemionko — the first of seven this match.

Four minutes later, second-year defender Liam O’Donoghue received a yellow card after tripping the Flames’ third-year defender Hector Gil.

With under six minutes left of the half, shots were traded at the net as both teams tried for the lead, but the first half ended with a failed attempt by the Ramblers’ fourth-year forward Angel Mendez. The ball grazed the crossbar and soared over.

10 minutes into the second half, the Flames broke the tie to take the lead 2-1 as Cruz scored in the top center with an assist by Nys.

Following an unsuccessful shot to the net by Urdiales, Mendez found a clearing and aimed for the bottom center, but fourth-year goalkeeper Owen Cornell made the save for UIC in the 56th minute. Seconds later, fourth-year midfielder Ben Bischof was yellow-carded for unsporting.  

In the 66th minute, Zepeda had a clear shot and kicked to the bottom left, where the ball met Crawford, who made the save for the Ramblers. A minute later, the Flames widened their lead to 3-1 after Nakazono crossed the ball to Cruz, who scored in the top center.

After Firs regained possession of the ball, he sent it to Urdiales, who shot wide right of the net. Within the following six minutes, second-year Nicholas Roe and Firs were given a yellow card. Both times a UIC player had ended up on the turf after being tripped.

Crawford made another save for the Ramblers in the 72nd minute, following a shot in the top center by third-year midfielder Darrell Turcios.

The Flames took three more shots at the goal in the following seven minutes, and Crawford continued to make the save each time.

Two more yellow cards were issued to UIC’s redshirt third-year goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowkski in the 81st minute and Nevarez in the 89th minute — both for unsporting after Loyola players ended up on the ground.

In a last-minute attempt to gain traction, Loyola made three more shots on goal. Fifth-year midfielder Kike Morales Bilbao shot off target, first-year defender and midfielder Joaquin Rodriguez high-kicked it as the ball fell into the trees and Firs aimed wide in the final minute.

After going face-to-face with an undefeated team, head coach Steve Bode reflected positively despite the loss.

“Another intercity rivalry game that’s emotional, heated — a lot of falls,” Bode said. “I thought we started well, obviously getting the early goal. They’re a good team, leading the country in shots and goals. Defensively overall, I would say in the run of play, we held them at bay.”  

The Ramblers will travel to Kingston, R.I., where they will match up against Rhode Island Sept. 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. and can be live-streamed on ESPN+.