Men’s Soccer Stands Undefeated with Shutout against the Zags

Loyola men’s soccer remains undefeated following their 1-0 win against Gonzaga University at the Jesuit Invitational Sept. 7. 

Third-year midfielder Luka Ivancic scored the winning goal with a penalty kick in the final seven minutes of the match. He now leads the Ramblers with three goals while third-year goalkeeper Maxwell Ionita hit a career-high eight saves in the net, now sitting at 21 saves this season.

The Ramblers found the first offensive opportunity in the fourth minute as Ivancic shot for the top, but watched it fall out on the right. In the fifth minute, there were consecutive fouls called on Gonzaga’s third-year midfielder Chase Potter and third-year midfielder and forward Benji Chavarria.

Ionita notched his first save in the ninth minute, when second-year midfielder and forward Dylan Cantafio attempted to score through the bottom center. Following another unsuccessful attempt from the Bulldog’s fourth-year midfielder Morgan Olsen, fourth-year midfielder Jack McFeely and Ivancic took turns at the net. Gonzaga’s fifth-year goalkeeper Chema Preciado prevented McFeely’s shot and Ivancic’s drive fell wide.

The following seven minutes consisted of a corner kick awarded to the Bulldogs and two fouls — one for fifth-year midfielder Seth Stewart matching one for Gonzaga’s fourth-year defender Carson Hammond. In between the fouls, Ionita notched his second save against fourth-year midfielder and defender Sam Dahlin’s play.

In the 24th minute, Hammond was issued a foul and a yellow-card warning — the first of three Gonzaga would receive. Stewart followed suit, receiving a foul just seconds later.

Loyola was awarded a corner kick but failed to capitalize on it in the 27th minute. Two minutes later, third-year defender Nicholas Roe sent a drive to the bottom center where it swiftly met Preciado.

Following an uneventful corner kick from Gonzaga, Potter gained possession and shot for the bottom center, resulting in Ionita recording his third save. Seconds later, first-year midfielder Mateusz Drazek sent one to the net, but it flew over the crossbar.

The next nine minutes produced an offensive power struggle as Loyola received a corner kick, then the Bulldog’s fourth-year defender Perry Blay and Rambler’s first-year midfielder Nicolas Kehayov were fouled.

The following minutes saw three shots on goal — two belonging to Gonzaga’s Cantafio and fourth-year defender Damoni McKenna, with the first landing wide on the right and the second meeting Ionita. Loyola’s first-year forward Shane Howard drove a hard line to the bottom center, but Preciado made a save of his own.

To end the first half, Gonzaga was called on an offside and Cantafio was fouled. Third-year forward Arved von Vegesack then had two consecutive shots on goal, but both were denied by Preciado.

The second half started with aggressive play as Roe was fouled only a minute in and Gonzaga’s second-year defender Scott Chavira-Robles followed with a foul and a yellow card warning.

In the following two minutes, Loyola found their way to the net as third-year defender Daniel Firs took his first offensive opportunity but shot over the woodwork. McFeely followed stride, taking a shot which fell to the left.

Two minutes later, Blay received his second foul while McFeely was issued his first. Loyola was then called on an offside and Olsen was given another foul, marking 11 total for Gonzaga.

In the following four minutes, Gonzaga had three corner opportunities and three shots on goal. Second-year midfielder Nicolas Golesis, second-year defender Isaac Dalhart and third-year forward Michael Luande all shot unsuccessfully and Ionita prevented Dalhart’s attempt. Following Luande’s attempt, the entire Gonzaga team was issued a yellow card.

Loyola was awarded two corners in the 63rd minute and seconds later, Firs found his way up to the net again, but his shot landed out on the left. Following another corner allowed to Gonzaga, Vegesack was fouled and the Bulldog’s second-year forward Dashiell Stein had back-to-back attempts at the net. The first flew past the crossbar while the second allowed Ionita to record his sixth save.

In the 72nd minute, Loyola failed to capitalize on a corner and Stewart was called on another foul. Three minutes later, Stein sent another shot straight to Ionita then Stewart was given his third foul of the match. Ionita made his final save a minute later when Olsen sent a drive to the bottom center. Loyola recorded eight saves to Gonzaga’s five.

With 10 minutes on the clock, neither team was going down without a fight as Gonzaga received three more fouls going to fourth-year forward Drew Pedersen, Preciado and Dalhart. In the 83rd minute, Ivancic made the most of a penalty kick, recording the game-winning goal and shutting out the Bulldogs with his second penalty kick goal this season.

Following another Stewart foul and Loyola’s 11th of the match, Gonzaga tried two more times at the goal — tallying 15 shots taken — but Cantafio and Dahlin couldn’t gain leverage with their unsuccessful attempts. Loyola took the game 1-0 to remain unbeaten in their sixth game of the season.

Head coach Kevin Robson reflected positively on the match and specifically shouted out the defensive back line.

“It was a great holiday weekend here in Omaha,” Robson said. “We want to thank everyone who made this Jesuit Invitational possible. I’m really proud of the guys for finding a way to win against a talented Gonzaga team.”

The Ramblers return to Hoyne field Sept. 10 with a matchup set against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.