A Historic Tournament
Founded in 1997 by former Loyola head coach Ray O'Connell, the Jesuit Invitational began as the Jesuit Cup and has grown into a showcase for Jesuit universities, with Loyola capturing the first title by defeating Saint Joseph's and Fordham 4-0 in both games.
Loyola Chicago will open its participation on September 4 against Santa Clara and return on September 7 to face Gonzaga, both slated for 2 p.m. Central Time at Creighton University in Omaha.
After a 2-0 shutout of Green Bay and a 3-1 victory over NIU to launch the 2026 campaign, Loyola has surged to the top of the Atlantic 10 Conference, boasting nine goals in just four games and earning A10 Rookie of the Week honors for Mateusz Drazek, who contributed three points in those wins.
Luka Ivancic leads the pack in both goals and assists, while Seth Stewart and Nico Kehayov provide additional depth, forming a balanced attack that has already begun to dominate conference play.
Santa Clara, sitting at 2-2-0 after recent setbacks to Cal and Utah Valley, brings a strong returning core that includes four All‑WCC honorees, highlighted by Alejandro Arenas, who scored the decisive game‑winner against Fordham, and Will Wiersdorf, who supplied the assist. Meanwhile, Gonzaga, 2-1-1 with ten goals in two matches, relies on standout performers Drew Pedersen and Carson Hammond, both recognized on preseason and weekly impact lists.
The event's ceremonial kickoff arrived on September 3 with a pre‑match dinner featuring Tim Breen and former Creighton Soccer legend Bob Warming, underscoring the tournament's deep Jesuit roots and its connection to notable figures in college soccer history.
Community Outreach
Beyond competition, the tournament emphasizes community engagement: on September 5, student‑athletes from all four schools will partner with the PACE Organization to provide free athletic opportunities for over 120 local children, fostering cross‑cultural respect and youth development.
The Jesuit Invitational thus blends high‑level collegiate soccer with a commitment to youth outreach, continuing a tradition that began with Ray O'Connell's vision and now shines a spotlight on emerging talent and community connection in Omaha.