DePaul Rallies Past Loyola Chicago Behind Baumgartner and Hernandez Blue Demons strike twice in opening 22 minutes to withstand second-half Ramblers push at home
CHICAGO, IL – DePaul overcame a spirited Loyola Chicago challenge to prevail 2-1 at DePaul Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as Christian Baumgartner and Noeh Hernandez provided the firepower in a dominant first-half display that ultimately proved decisive.
The Blue Demons struck early and often in the opening period, establishing control through clinical finishing and precise buildup play. Baumgartner broke the deadlock in the 17th minute with a perfectly placed right-footed effort that curled into the top-left corner, giving the DePaul faithful an early reason to celebrate.
The home side doubled their advantage just four minutes later when Hernandez converted brilliantly from close range. The goal showcased DePaul's tactical fluidity, as Jayden Waski's precise delivery found Hernandez in space, and the midfielder tucked away a composed left-footed finish into the bottom-right corner to extend the lead to 2-0.
DePaul's early aggression and territorial dominance appeared to have put the match beyond doubt, but Loyola Chicago refused to surrender. The Ramblers regrouped during the halftime break and emerged with renewed purpose in the second period.
The visitors' persistence paid dividends in the 58th minute when Antonio Pinto pulled one back for Loyola Chicago. The goal came from excellent combination play, with both Arved von Vegesack and Luka Ivancic contributing to the buildup before Pinto rifled his right-footed strike into the top-left corner, igniting hopes of a dramatic comeback.
Pinto's clinical finish transformed the atmosphere at DePaul Stadium, as the Ramblers suddenly possessed the momentum and belief to push for an equalizer. The final thirty minutes saw Loyola Chicago press forward with increasing urgency, creating several promising opportunities to level the contest.
DePaul's defensive organization became crucial in weathering the sustained pressure from their Chicago rivals. The Blue Demons absorbed wave after wave of attacks while looking to exploit counter-attacking opportunities when possession changed hands.
The tactical battle intensified as both teams made strategic adjustments, with Loyola Chicago committing more players forward in search of the equalizing goal. DePaul responded by dropping deeper and relying on their defensive shape to preserve their slender advantage.
Despite their best efforts, the Ramblers could not find the breakthrough needed to salvage a point. DePaul's early dominance and clinical finishing in the opening period ultimately proved enough to secure all three points in this cross-town rivalry encounter.
Baumgartner's opener set the tone for DePaul's impressive first-half performance, while Hernandez's quick-fire response demonstrated the Blue Demons' ability to capitalize on their periods of dominance. The combination of Waski's creative influence and Hernandez's finishing ability highlighted DePaul's offensive depth and tactical versatility.
For Loyola Chicago, Pinto's second-half strike provided a glimpse of their attacking potential, while the collaborative effort from von Vegesack and Ivancic in the buildup showcased the team's ability to create chances through patient buildup play.
The victory extends DePaul's strong home form and demonstrates their capacity to manage games effectively when holding leads. Loyola Chicago's spirited second-half comeback attempt, while ultimately unsuccessful, revealed the character and resilience that could serve them well in future encounters.
Key Players
- Christian Baumgartner (DePaul) - Broke the deadlock with a sublime right-footed curler into the top corner, setting the foundation for victory
- Noeh Hernandez (DePaul) - Doubled the advantage with clinical left-footed finish, capitalizing on Jayden Waski's excellent service
- Antonio Pinto (Loyola Chicago) - Kept the Ramblers' hopes alive with a powerful strike that ignited the comeback attempt