Men’s Soccer’s Resurgence Secures Win over SIUE

Loyola Men’s soccer made a comeback to champion a 2-1 win over Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Sept. 11 after facing a deficit in the first half. Fourth-year forward Evan Howard led the Cougars while second-year midfielder Luka Ivancic and fourth-year midfielder Ben Bischof drove in the win for the Ramblers, each with a goal.  

Both teams started strong on the field as passes were swiftly traded, but neither could keep possession. Loyola found the first offensive opportunity in the 10th minute when Bischof found his way to the net but missed over the top.

Five minutes later, third-year forward Petar Janjic was next to take a shot for the Ramblers, but first-year Cougars’ goalkeeper Noah Scheidweiler was quick to block the shot attempt.

The Cougars found possession of the ball as second-year forward Ryley Gibbs rushed to the net but overestimated his shot and kicked out on the right side.

Third-year goalkeeper Gabe Velasco made a save for the Ramblers in the 19th minute when fourth-year midfielder Carles Zomeno found his way to the goal and kicked for the bottom center.

After a free kick was awarded to Janjic due to a foul on Cougars’ redshirt second-year defender Archie McDonnell, fourth-year forward Hugo Urdiales gained possession and took his first attempt of the match, but overshot his kick.

The Cougars’ offense remained persistent in the following 15 minutes as redshirt third-year defender Colin Bastianoni shot wide, and Zomeno’s shot was blocked by Velasco towards the bottom left.

In the following three minutes, both teams tried for the net as Howard shot for the Cougars and second-year defender Liam O’Donoghue took his chance for the Ramblers, but both shots went out to the left.

With only seconds left in the first half, McDonnell set up a play and kicked the ball into the penalty area as Howard regained possession and took a shot to score in the bottom left, allowing the Cougars to take the lead 1-0.

The second half started with subsequent throw-ins from the Cougars until Urdiales took control and kicked for the net, but the ball soared over the top left. Two minutes later, Bastianoni kicked between the posts, where Velasco met the ball to prevent another Cougars’ goal.

In the 54th minute, the Cougars were awarded their first corner kick of the match but failed to capitalize on the advantage. Two minutes later, they were awarded another chance at a corner, but it again fell away from the net.

Loyola’s first-year forward Antonio Pinto drew a foul in the 61st minute, rewarding the Cougars with a free kick. Soon after, Velasco was issued a yellow card for unsporting.

Within the same minute, the Cougars held onto the ball as Zomeno kicked for the bottom center, but Velasco intercepted its entrance. Seconds later, redshirt first-year midfielder Ben Perkins attempted to score, but the ball went out on the right.

The Cougars continued to display their offensive initiative in the following eight minutes, taking two more shots at the goal. Zomeno kicked out on top and Perkins took the ball to the bottom center, where Velasco made the save for the Ramblers.

In the 75th minute, the Ramblers capitalized on their possession as Janjic set up a play for Ivancic, who drove the ball into the bottom left of the net — making it his first of the season and tying the match at one.

Seconds later, McDonnell was issued a red card and ejected for denying the Ramblers a goal-scoring chance after committing a foul outside of the penalty box. 

The Ramblers rallied in the 77th minute as Bischof played off a cross from second-year midfielder and forward Benji Chavarria to kick a hard drive to the bottom right to steal the lead 2-1, marking off his first goal of the season.

In a fighting effort, both teams took chances at the net as the minutes wound down. With 10 minutes on the clock, Urdiales and Ivancic shot towards the goal for the Ramblers while fifth-year defender Wes Gibson, Howard and Perkins made attempts for the Cougars. All proved to be unsuccessful, and the match ended with the Ramblers’ triumphant win.

Head coach Steve Bode reflected on Loyola’s second win after falling to DePaul in their previous match.

“This was an important win for the team,” Bode said. “The goal was to bounce back after Sunday, and the team did just that. I’m very proud of the work ethic and resolve we showed today. This is a performance we can build off of.”

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+.