Ramblers Ramp it up in Red Line Rivalry

Loyola men’s soccer battled for a 3-3 draw against DePaul University during the Red Line Rivalry match Aug. 30. With five yellow cards, one red card ejection and 33 fouls issued throughout the intense game, the Ramblers continue their undefeated streak, standing 4-0-2. 

The game started off aggressively with six fouls issued within the first five minutes. Two went to third-year forward Arved von Vegesack and second-year forward Chimosoh Okeke while the other four were given to DePaul’s redshirt fourth-year defender Ethan Gordon, fourth-year forward Liam Mullins, first-year midfielder Mason Kutch and redshirt fourth-year forward Christian Dionne. 

In the seventh minute, DePaul’s third-year midfielder Max Padua notched the Blue Demons’ fifth foul, and seconds later third-year midfielder Luka Ivancic scored his first goal of the season with a penalty kick 12 yards out, taking the lead 1-0. 

Following Ivancic’s opener, DePaul and Loyola took turns committing six more fouls in six minutes. Receiving for the Blue Demons was fourth-year midfielder Noeh Hernandez, second-year defender Matt Eger and Padua. On the Ramblers’ side, Vegesack took one, and Okeke was given two. 

However, despite the intensity, the game still looked slow for the Blue Demons as DePaul wasn’t able to get a shot off until the 16th minute mark when Mullins sent one off target. 

A hard drive from fifth-year midfielder Seth Stewart fell wide on the right in the 18th minute as DePaul third-year defender Scott Godden was called on a foul. Five minutes later, Nicolas Kehayov found his first offensive opportunity, but it fell outside of the box on the right. 

20 minutes after Loyola’s first goal, Vegesack headed a Loyola goal kick toward Stewart who dribbled past DePaul graduate goalkeeper Chance Johnson to slot the ball into an open net for Loyola’s second goal and Stewart’s third goal contribution in four games. 

Following the goal, Loyola was able to continue with their momentum for a short period, receiving two corners early off. The Blue Demons outshot Loyola seven to zero for the rest of the first half, while winning three corner kicks.

In the 41st minute, DePaul’s third-year forward Daniel Hickiewicz caught Loyola’s backline off guard as he held possession and slotted the ball to first-year forward Quin Bedwell who danced around two Ramblers before placing the ball out of reach for Ionita, into the bottom left corner — landing on the scoreboard 2-1.

The second half started with an offside called on DePaul only seconds into play. Three minutes later, Hernandez found his way to the goal only to be denied by Ionita. Throughout the half, the Ramblers and Blue Demons exchanged shots and fouls, with Okeke earning the first yellow card for Loyola in the 52nd minute. 

DePaul tied the game in the 54th minute when Hernandez drove one into the net with an assist from Hickiewicz. Seven minutes later, Vegesack shot for the bottom center where it met Blue Demons graduate goalkeeper Chance Johnson. 

The following 10 minutes consisted of five more shots on goal from both sides. Third-year defender Daniel Firs sent one to the bottom center, allowing Johnson to record another save. DePaul put pressure on the net as Hernandez, Hickiewicz, third-year forward Jayden Waski and Padua all had unsuccessful attempts. 

After Ivancic’s shot went out on top, DePaul’s Bedwell and second-year midfielder Tyler Flowers were issued yellow card warnings in the 72nd and 73rd minute, respectively. Despite DePaul’s six shots, Loyola held on while keeping it clean, only committing two fouls. 

With two offside calls on the Blue Demons and two fouls issued to Loyola, the game remained at a stalemate until the 81st minute. First-year attacking midfielder Nicolas Kehayov volleyed Ivancic’s lobbed pass below the crossbar to regain the lead for the Ramblers, making it 3-2. 

Loyola’s lead lasted only one minute before Flowers caught a clear corner at the top of the 18-yard box and curled past Ionita into the top right corner to make it 3-3.

Ionita was issued a red card with 22 seconds left to play, allowing first-year goalkeeper Ori Yedlin to close the match for the Ramblers in his collegiate debut.

The match marked Loyola’s second draw in four games. Head coach Kevin Robson said the rivalry played out as he expected.

“A lot happened tonight, but we scored some great goals. It was exactly how you’d think a rivalry game would go,” said Robson. “I am really happy with the guys. We have a lot of room to grow, but this [is] another good performance to build on.”

The Ramblers return home to Loyola Soccer Park at Hoyne Field to compete against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Sept. 10. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.