A year ago, Marmion scored three goals in the second half to pull out a 4-2 home victory over Loyola.

At the time, Loyola coach Justin Dunn expressed frustration over his team not playing a complete 80 minutes of soccer.

Said Dunn last season following the match: “We play good soccer, then give up some easy goals. We have to figure it out. They have some talent, but we gave up some very easy goals.”

On Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Loyola’s Munz Athletic Campus, Dunn hopes to be singing a different tune about his Ramblers (3-4-2, 2-1-1).

The Chicago Catholic League Blue Division showdown features teams aiming to stay in the title chase with a quality victory. Marmion (4-4-1, 2-1-1) lost its last game, a 3-2 decision to Mt. Carmel on Sept. 19, but will have had benefit of some time off before tough road game.

“It’s been a bit of an up-and-down year for us,” Marmion coach Gerardo Alvarez. “It started playing in the St. Charles tournament, which is super competitive. 

“We played Leyden, St. Charles North, St. Charles East and Maine South and went 2-2-0. That is pretty good for us being a smaller school, and the fact it was at the beginning of the season.”

Alvarez said his team missed a golden opportunity in league play last week by allowing a late goal in a 3-3 draw against St. Laurence.

“We had a frustrating one slip away in the last second,” he said of the home draw. “We were up 2-0 against Mt. Carmel and lost control of the game and the momentum (in a 3-2 road loss Sept. 19). We’ve played some really good teams in the area. We have to be better at closing teams out.”

Alvarez’s game plan against the Ramblers is simple.

“We have to keep the ball out of the net,” he said. “Defense is key. We have to play compact and not give up multiple opportunities, or clear chances to score.

“And we have to finish on our set pieces.”

Alvarez said several of his younger players are key contributors: sophomore forward Jamie Berman, junior midfielder Jordan Peinado and freshman defender Patrick Bergeron.

“Jamie and Jordan have scored for us and been pretty consistent, and we will lean on them today,” Alvarez said. “Freshman Patrick Bergeron has done well.”

Loyola aims to end a two-game winless streak that includes a scoreless draw against Providence and a 2-1 setback to DePaul.

“I think we feel pretty good, even though we’re coming off a loss to DePaul,” Dunn said. “We played really well. (The Rams’) Jay Carroll is really solid player. We did a solid job containing him for the majority of the game. 

“We’re still a very young team. We’re trying to  piece the pieces together. The hope is to move the ball at home and keep it fast and dictate the pace of play.”

Dunn said Marmion is another tough conference challenge for his players.

“It seems like they return a lot, so they should be really solid,” Dunn said. “Coach Alvarez does a good job with the guys in his system and has them believing in themselves. They are a team that can win games. 

“We have to move the ball and be really good on set pieces and even in the run of play. We can’t lose focus.”

Dunn said he’s been pleased with his backline for playing solid defense against a high level of competition.

“We’re still staying in games,” said Dunn, whose team has allowed a goal a game. “You have to have a strong mentality. We’ve played so many good opponents. 

“The CCL is really good and solid. We might be one of the only Class 3A teams, but it’s full of quality AA teams.”