CHICAGO (September 16, 2022) – Currently riding a three-game unbeaten run, the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team (4-2-2) begins a new era on Sunday afternoon when it welcomes La Salle to Rogers Park for its Atlantic 10 Conference opener.  Kickoff between the Ramblers and Explorers is slated for 1 p.m. at Loyola Soccer Park.
 
In its last 10 conference openers, Loyola owns an impressive 8-0-2 (.900) record, with its last defeat to open a league slate coming back on September 28, 2011 in a 1-0 loss to Valparaiso when the program was a member of the Horizon League.
 
Last Time Out: Loyola picked up a pair of results against in-state foes last week.  The Ramblers got the week off to a flying start last Thursday, as two goals from Sarah Noonan, the last of which came with less than five minutes remaining, propelled the Maroon & Gold past DePaul, 2-1, at Loyola Soccer Park.  Loyola followed that up with a 1-1 draw two days later at Illinois.  Megan Nemec tallied her team-best third goal of the season against the Fighting Illini, scoring just 98 seconds into the first half.
 
vs. La Salle: La Salle (5-3, 0-1 A-10) makes its way to The Windy City on the heels of back-to-back setbacks against nationally-ranked opponents.
 
After dropping a 3-1 decision to No. 6 Rutgers back on September 8, the Explorers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead against No. 12 Saint Louis in the Atlantic 10 Conference opener for both teams this past Thursday in Philadelphia, Pa. before the Billikens rattled off four unanswered goals en route to a 4-1 victory.
 
Piloted by head coach Paul Royal, who is now in his 20th season in charge in the City of Brotherly Love, La Salle was picked sixth in the A-10 Preseason Poll.  The Explorers' attack is led by Kelli McGroarty, who leads the team in both goals (3) and assists (4).  Haley Gschrey, Courtney Butlion, and Alyssa Gargiulo also provide support in the final third, as all three members of the trio have found the back of the net twice this season.
 
Michela Auguadro has been a fixture in goal for Royal's bunch, starting in all eight games and posting a 1.38 goals against average.
 
Series Stuff: Sunday's A-10 opener for the Ramblers will mark just the fifth meeting between Loyola and La Salle in women's soccer.  The Explorers own a spotless 4-0-0 mark in the previous four encounters, the last of which came on September 8, 2007 when La Salle escaped Loyola Soccer Park with a 3-2 victory.
 
As it embarks on its first Atlantic 10 campaign, Loyola sports a record of 2-13-0 (.133) against current league members, with its last matchup against an A-10 opponent coming back in a 1-0 setback to Fordham on August 21, 2016.
 
Up Next: Loyola hits the road next week for a challenging two-game swing that features matchups with No. 12 Saint Louis (September 22) and George Washington (September 25).