#15 Men’s Soccer Heads to Wisconsin for Labor Day Weekend

Bronx, N.Y. – (August 31, 2018) – Following a season opening win at Holy Cross, the 15^th-ranked Fordham men's soccer team makes its first trip to the Dairy State for Labor Day Weekend, as the Rams face off with a pair of Big Ten opponents in RV Wisconsin on Saturday and Northwestern on Monday.  Wisconsin, who is receiving votes in this week's polls after being #12 in the preseason top 25,  is 1-1 after the first weekend of the season, falling to Grand Canyon, 2-1, while defeating Hartford, 1-0.  Northwestern is 1-0-1 with a win over Cleveland State (3-0) and a draw with Xavier (0-0).
 
GAME COVERAGE:
Saturday - Fordham at Wisconsin – 8:30 PM ET – Live Stats | Follow on Twitter @FordhamSoccer
 
Monday - Fordham vs. Northwestern – 1:00 PM ET – Live Stats | Follow on Twitter @FordhamSoccer
 
SERIES HISTORY: Fordham has never faced Wisconsin or Northwestern.
 
IN THE POLLS: The Rams moved up in all three polls this week, as they checked in up one spot to #15 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll and the College Soccer News Top 30 Poll, while in the Top Drawer Soccer Poll, Fordham moved from the receiving votes category to #19.
 
MIKLOS & LOEBE EARN WEEKLY HONORS (8/27): The Atlantic 10 Conference released its first set of men's soccer weekly awards on Monday with Fordham senior goalkeeper Dan Miklos being named the conference's Defensive Player of the Week.  It is Miklos' first career weekly honor.

 
Miklos made his first start since 2015 on Friday, and was a big part of #16 Fordham's season-opening 2-1 win against Holy Cross. Miklos made three saves against the Crusaders, and punched away a potential scoring chance in the final seconds on a cross.  That clearance secured Fordham's first season-opening victory since 2011.
 
In addition to Miklos being honored by the Atlantic 10, senior forward Janos Loebe was named to College Soccer News' Team of the Week for his performance against Holy Cross. 
 
Loebe had a three-point game in Worcester on Friday, registering an assist on the Rams' opening goal, while netting the eventual game-winning goal in the second half.  He moved into sole possession of tenth on Fordham's career goals list with 20, while being tied for seventh all-time in points (61).
 
LAST TIME OUT: Behind big efforts from seniors Janos Loebe and Dan Miklos, the 16^th-ranked Fordham Rams came away with a 2-1 road victory at Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.  It was Fordham's first season opening win since 2011.
 
The Rams came right out of the gates on the attack, as five minutes in, Janos Loebe found Johannes Pieles with a cross in front, which deflected on goal with Holy Cross' Henry Stutz making the save.
 
Loebe would contribute to a goal later as Fordham opened the scoring in the 28^th minute.  On a free kick, Loebe fired a shot toward goal from 20 yards out that Stutz made the save on.  However, the rebound got away from the keeper with Fordham's Sameer Fathazada cashing in with a quick put back for his first goal as a Ram.
 
The lead did not last long as Holy Cross tied the game at one in the 33^rd minute.  Simon Becher put a shot toward the Fordham net off a set piece cross that Fordham goalkeeper Dan Miklos made the stop but the rebound would go off Joergen Oland's arm for a handball, awarding a penalty kick to the Crusaders.  Owen Azrak capitalized with a shot into the lower left corner of goal, tying the game at one.
 
The second half was extremely physical, but it was Fordham that came away with the go-ahead goal in the 76^th minute.  On the rush, Jack Sluys got a touch pass across to Loebe at the top center of the box, which he crushed into the back of the net for his first of the season and a 2-1 lead.  It was a milestone goal for Loebe, as it was his 20^th career goal and 61^st point, which moved him into sole possession of tenth on Fordham's all-time goals list and tied for seventh in career points.
 
The Rams would hold off a number of chances over the final minutes, which included a Holy Cross shot glancing the top of the crossbar and over the net with under two minutes left, to wrap up a season opening victory.
 
In goal, Miklos, who started for Fordham for the first time since 2015, earned his first career win, making three saves on the night, while Stutz ended the game with six stops.

WHO'S NEXT: Following this weekend's match-ups, Fordham will travel to Bryant for a late Saturday afternoon contest at 4:00 PM on September 8^th.