The Valley on ESPN3 vs. Drexel | Live Stats vs. Drexel | The Valley on ESPN3 vs. Akron | Live Stats vs. Akron 

CHICAGO (August 24, 2017) – Following a split of its first two games of the season, the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team returns home this weekend to host city-rival DePaul, Drexel and Akron for the Loyola Invitational at Loyola Soccer Park.  The Ramblers will take on Drexel on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the 2017 home opener and will clash with Akron in the event's finale at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
 
Last Time Out: Two-goal performances from both senior Katie Grall and junior Jenna Szczesny helped Loyola roll to a 6-2 victory over host Oral Roberts last Sunday in Tulsa, Okla.  Junior Madison Kimball and freshman Kat Stephens also chipped in tallies in the victory, while freshman Jenna Ross dished out a pair of assists as the Ramblers scored their most goals in a game away from Loyola Soccer Park since a 6-1 road win over Xavier during the 2008 campaign.
 
vs. Drexel: Drexel enters the weekend with a 1-1-0 record after splitting a pair of games last weekend.  The Dragons dropped their season-opener to Maryland by a final count of 2-1 before rolling past Quinnipiac, 3-0, this past Monday in Philadelphia, Pa.  Vanessa Kara, a Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association honoree, has found the back of the net in each of Drexel's first two games to lead the attack in the offensive third.  Fellow Preseason All-CAA selection Christiana Ogunsami has started both contests in goal and sports a 1.00 goals against average.  Friday's home opener will mark the first meeting between Loyola and Drexel in women's soccer.  The Ramblers hold a 0-1-1 record against current CAA members.
 
vs. Akron: Akron rolls into Chicago following an unbeaten opening weekend at home.  The Zips battled preseason Horizon League favorite Milwaukee to a scoreless draw in double overtime last Friday before downing Green Bay, 3-0, two days later.  Erin Babcock, Rachel Baughman and Catie Corrigan each chipped in a goal in the win over the Phoenix.  Amani Jiu started both games in goal and recorded a pair of clean sheets en route to claiming Mid-American Conference (MAC) Defensive Player of the Week honors.  As is the case in Friday's matchup, Loyola and Akron will clash for the first time on Sunday afternoon.  The Zips will take on DePaul prior to Loyola's meeting with Drexel on Friday evening.
 
After This: Loyola will make the short trip up Interstate 94 next weekend to take part in the Marquette Invitational in Milwaukee, Wis.  The Ramblers will open play at the event against Mercer next Friday (Sept. 1) at 3 p.m. before taking Central Michigan in a 4:30 p.m. tilt the following Sunday (Sept. 3). 

Friday, Aug. 25
DePaul vs. Akron - 5 p.m.
Loyola vs. Drexel - 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 27
DePaul vs. Drexel - 11 a.m.
Loyola vs. Akron - 1:30 p.m.