DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Loyola Chicago
Men's Soccer Kicks off Season with Red Line Rivalry
8/25/2021 11:11:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
Blue Demons and Ramblers square off on Thursday at Wish
CHICAGO - DePaul men's soccer team opens the 2021 season by hosting the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers at Wish Field on Thursday, Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. CT. The Blue Demons begin the season after wrapping up a three-game exhibition slate that saw DePaul go unbeaten. Thursday's match will be broadcast live on FloSports.
The bout will be the 39th all-time between DePaul and Loyola. Loyola holds an 19-14-5 advantage in the all-time series and the Blue Demons and Ramblers played to a 0-0 draw in Rockford, Ill. last season.
DePaul will be in regular season action at Wish Field in front of a full capacity for the first time since the 2019 season. The Blue Demons played an abbreviated schedule during the spring for the 2020-21 campaign.
Blue Demon head coach Mark Plotkin is entering his fourth year as the Blue Demons' head coach. Plotkin leads a squad that returns eight starters from the spring. DePaul will be captained by Jack Ricahrds, Matty Brickman and Jake Fuderer - three mainstays that have made an impact on the pitch for the Blue Demons over the last two seasons.
During the three-game exhibition preseason, the Blue Demons tallied wins over Milwaukee and Wheaton while battling to a 0-0 draw versus defending NCAA runners-up, Indiana. Jack Richards and Marek Gonda both scored a pair of goals during the collection of tune-ups.
Following the match versus Loyola, DePaul will host St. Thomas at Wish Field on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 3 p.m. CT.
LOYOLA INFO
- Ramblers head coach Neil Jones is entering his tenth season as the Loyola head coach.
- Loyola posted a 7-4-2 record during the 2020-21 season. The Ramblers fell in the Missouri Valley Conference championship versus Missouri State.
- Loyola has appeared in three straight MVC Championship matches and the Ramblers return 19 letterwinners from last season.
- On Feb. 21, the Blue Demons and Ramblers played to a 0-0 draw in Rockford, Ill.. DePaul goalkeeper Drew Nuelle made a handful of key saves to keep Loyola off of the board in overtime.
- Senior Billy Hency was named a preseason All-American by College Soccer News. Hency appeared in nine games this spring, scoring six goals and totaling four assists.
For all of the latest on DePaul Men's Soccer, stay tuned to depaulbluedemons.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
