Sept. 19, 2007

Baltimore, Md. - The Loyola men's soccer team, off to its best start since 1983, will take its 6-0 record to Oregon for the Oregon State Soccer Tournament this Friday and Saturday night in Corvallis. The Greyhounds, ranked 26th in the national College Soccer News poll and first in the North Atlantic Region, will take on Gonzaga this Friday and host Oregon State on Saturday night.

The Greyhounds, who improved to 6-0 with last Sunday's win at Hofstra, now have a road record of 3-0 this season. Loyola, which is 1-0 against ranked teams, will get another opportunity against a solid side from Gonzaga on Friday night. The Zags are 3-2 this season and have been ranked as high as 12th this season. Last weekend, they dropped a 1-0 decision to No. 20 Wisconsin, but have wins over Santa Barbara and Washington on their resume this year. Gonzaga, who plays in the West Coast Conference, is ranked 30th this week.

Saturday's opponent is host Oregon State, who enters the weekend with a 2-4 overall record. The Beavers, who lost both of their matches in last weekend's OSU Diadora Classic, will play Northern Illinois on Friday night after Loyola's match with Gonzaga.

The Greyhounds have never faced either Gonzaga or Oregon State. They enter the weekend matches led by youth, namely freshman Phil Bannister and his team-leading nine points this season. Sophomore Jamie Darvill has seven points, while freshman Eddie Dines has three goals and six points for the `Hounds. In goal, sophomore keeper Milos Kocic has three shutouts in six games playing behind Loyola's stingy defense.

Friday's game will begin at 8:30 p.m. Eastern, while Saturday's match is slated for a 10:30 p.m. start on the East Coast. All games will played at OSU's Paul Lorenz Field at Patrick Wayne Valley Stadium.