CHICAGO (September 4, 2019) – For the second time in the season's opening three weeks, the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team will face off against a pair of power five conference opponents. No. 16 Wisconsin will make its way to Loyola Soccer Park for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Thursday evening, while a 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon matinee in Columbia, Mo. against host Missouri wraps up the weekend.
 
Last Time Out: Loyola split two games last week, downing South Dakota, 2-1, in its home opener last Friday before falling at Ball State by an identical scoreline on Sunday.  Graduate student Simone Wark and senior Aleksa Tataryn accounted for the Maroon & Gold's tallies against the Coyotes, while freshman Megan Nemec found the back of the net in Sunday's meeting with the Cardinals.  For her efforts, which also included two assists in Loyola's win over South Dakota, Nemec was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week.
 
vs. Wisconsin: Wisconsin enters the week at 3-1-0 overall and with a No. 16 rating from the United Soccer Coaches to its name.  The Badgers are coming off a pair of overtime victories last week, defeating Marquette, 1-0, and Butler, 2-1.  Fresh off a 14-4-4 (6-2-3 B1G) season in 2018 that saw it advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, Wisconsin was tabbed third in the Big Ten Conference Preseason Poll.  Dani Rhodes (10 goals, 2 assists in 2018), Cameron Murtha (6 goals, 5 assists in 2018), and Claire Shea (3 assists in 2018) were all recognized on the conference's preseason honors list.  Jordyn Bloomer is back in goal after posting a sparkling 0.83 goals against average last season.
 
vs. Missouri: Missouri, who is receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll, boasts a perfect 4-0-0 mark through the season's first four games.  In their most recent contest, the Tigers fended off visiting Xavier, defeating the Musketeers by a final count of 3-2 in double overtime this past Sunday at Walton Stadium.  Following a 6-11-2 (3-6-1 SEC) finish to the 2018 season, Missouri landed 10th in the Southeastern Conference's Preseason Poll.  First Team All-SEC honoree Sarah Luebbert (4 goals, 3 assists in 2018) and All-Freshman Team selection Julissa Cisneros (5 goals, 1 assist in 2018) return to provide firepower for a Missouri attack that is currently averaging 2.00 goals per game.
 
Series Stuff: Thursday's tilt in Rogers Park marks the seventh meeting between Loyola and Wisconsin, a series in which the Badgers hold an unblemished 6-0-0 mark.  The Ramblers own a similar record against Missouri, having dropped their previous six meetings with the Tigers.
 
Up Next: Loyola is back on the Loyola Soccer Park turf at 7 p.m. on September 12 to clash with city-rival DePaul in the latest installment of the "Red Line Rivalry".  The Ramblers will make the short trip west to DeKalb, Ill. three days later (Sept. 15) for a matchup against Northern Illinois at 6 p.m.