EVANSVILLE – After consecutive conference losses, the University of Evansville men's soccer team will be hoping to get back on track in a big way on Saturday evening as the Purple Aces will play host to 13
th-ranked Loyola in a homecoming weekend showdown at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
UE vs. Loyola (Saturday, 5 p.m.): Live Stats |
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Match Notes |
UE Homecoming
The Aces, who started the Missouri Valley Conference season with back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly 20 years, have hit a three-match skid, falling to 6-6-1 overall and 2-2-0 in the MVC. Loyola, which is currently sitting atop the league with a 4-0-0 MVC mark and a 10-1-0 record overall, represents one of the toughest opponents UE has faced to date. The Ramblers will be the fourth ranked team the Aces have squared off against this season.
Previously, the Aces dropped matches against No. 16 Utah Valley, No. 10 Butler and No. 15 Kentucky.
UE's quest to get back on track will likely depend on a renewed defensive effort, led by the centerback pairing of Trevor Baum and Chris Shuck. The Aces excelled defensively earlier in the season with four Frederik Reimer clean sheets in the first nine matches, but opponents have found the back of the net in each of the last four encounters, outscoring UE by a 7-3 margin.
Offensively, the Aces suffered just their second shutout of the season in Tuesday's loss at Central Arkansas. Ian McGrath leads the way with six goals on the season, including a pair over the past four matches. Jared Robinson, who is second on the team with four scores, will be looking to put an end to a goalless streak that dates back to a Sept. 17 win over Bradley.
Kickoff on Saturday is slated for 5 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear white to the contest, and free rally towels will be distributed at the game. The Homecoming Court will be presented at halftime, and a special fireworks show will follow the match.
NOTES: Frederik Reimer has more clean sheets this season (4) than any goalkeeper since Eric Teppen in 2012 (5) … Only one player, former UE star Mark Anthony Gonzalez, has scored more goals in a season than Ian McGrath this year (6), since 2009 … UE's last win over a ranked opponent was 3-1 decision against then-No. 16 Butler on Oct. 1, 2013 … UE is 17-1-0 all-time against the Ramblers, with the lone loss a 1-0 decision in Chicago last season … The last win in the series was 2-1 decision in Evansville in 2014 … Loyola was an old Midwestern Collegiate Conference rival for the Aces, and the series began with a 4-0 UE victory on Oct. 22, 1982 … The Aces are 68-46-8 all-time against Illinois schools and 4-5-0 all-time on Oct. 15.
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