EVANSVILLE – The University of Evansville men's soccer team gave the homecoming crowd an impressive effort on Saturday night as the Purple Aces went toe-to-toe with 13^th-ranked Loyola at Arad McCutchan Stadium. However, a pair of late chances couldn't break the deadlock as the two sides walked away with a 1-1 draw.
 
"We knew it was going to be a difficult test coming into the match," UE head coach Marshall Ray said. "It was nice to get a goal early, but they're a tough team to play against. There's a reason they're ranked. It was good step forward for us. We've struggled with some of the other ranked opponents that we've played this season, and tonight, I think we were pretty solid throughout."
 
The result ended a three-match losing streak for the Aces, who now sit at 6-6-2 on the year, including a 2-2-1 mark in league play. Meanwhile, it ended the Ramblers' hopes for a perfect Missouri Valley Conference season as the visitors from Chicago moved to 10-1-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the MVC.
 
It became apparent in the early goings that the Aces were going to have success from the flanks on the night, and a number of chances would be generated from out wide, including the opening goal. Jesse Stafford Lacey, who ranks among the conference leaders in assists, whipped in a ball from the right and found the head of a diving Jared Robinson, who capitalized from point-blank range to make it 1-0 in the 23^rd minute.
 
"I've always had a lot of trust and confidence in Jared," Ray said. "I really felt like he's been scrapping, so it was only a matter time. It was a great goal for him, and he showed a lot of hustle to get in the right place to head it home."
 
It was the fifth goal of the season for Robinson and his first since a Sept. 19 victory at Bradley. His goal in that match also came off a Stafford Lacey helper.
 
The lead would be short-lived, however, as a foul was awarded on the edge of the 18-yard box. Fabian Lifka buried the free kick, tying it up in the 17^th.
 
Each team would have its chances as the match turned to the second half, with Aces freshman Ben Weber getting the closest on a pair of overtime opportunities.
 
The Aces were out-shot 11-7 in the contest, but goalkeeper Frederik Reimer proved up to the task when called upon, ending the match with five stops.
 
UE will return to action with a return to non-conference play at Belmont on Tuesday.
 

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NOTES: UE's last win over a ranked opponent was 3-1 decision against then-No. 16 Butler on Oct. 1, 2013 … UE is 17-1-1 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 68-46-9 all-time against Illinois schools and 4-5-1 all-time on Oct. 15.
 
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