PREVIEWING THE KNIGHTS...
Late October soccer has arrived for the Duhawks as they host their longtime rivals, Wartburg College. The Knights come in ranked No. 13 in the latest NSCAA/Continental Tire poll with a current record of 12-2-4 overall and 4-0-1 in the Iowa Conference.

In their last five matches, the Knights are 3-0-2, with their last two outings finishing by way of a draw.

Dan Nadeau leads the offensive charge for the Knights, compiling 11 goals and eight assists through 16 games. Paris Martins is second on the scoresheet with five goals and five assists.

Wartburg has put three different goalkeepers between the pipes this season, but as of late, it has been Austin Boyke controlling the reigns. With a 4-0-3 record and a 0.86 Goals Against Average, Boyke should be the starter come Saturday.

STORIED HISTORY...
In their regular season meeting last year, the Knights came out on top with a 2-1 decision in Waverly. When the two sides met in the Iowa Conference Tournament Championship, it was Richard Lenke's header in the 100th minute that lifted Loras to victory and gave them the automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament.

Saturday will be the 30th meeting between the two sides, with Loras owning a 26-12-1 all-time record.

Eleven of the last 18 Iowa Conference Tournament Championships reside with either Loras or Wartburg. Since 2003, Loras and Wartburg have played in the conference tournament championship nine times, with Wartburg winning five of the nine titles.

WHAT'S AT STAKE...
Simply put, the Duhawks take home the Iowa Conference crown with a win on Saturday. Last Saturday's draw against Dubuque gave Wartburg their only blemish in conference play to date. With the Duhawks entering at 5-0-0 in conference play, a win against Wartburg secures for them their ninth Iowa Conference title.

A draw would open up an entire slew of scenarios, diving into goal differential, in which case the Knights own the advantage with a +7 goal differential.

A loss puts Wartburg at 16 points in the standings to Loras' 15, and with Buena Vista as their final contest of the regular season should give them three additional points barring major fallout.

SCHMIDT AND RALPH SHINE IN RETURN...
After missing a major portion of the 2014 season, junior JoJo Schmidt and sophomore Jimmy Ralph returned to the Duhawk lineup last Saturday in Decorah.

For Ralph, his presence was felt at outside back where his defense was on point and he was able to contribute in the offensive third two different times. In the 41st minute, Ralph's long throw met the head of junior Bryan Irwin and was flicked on towards goal where senior Mike Pizzello was waiting to send home the equalizer for his 10th goal of the year.

Later, in the 70th minute, Ralph directed his service to the far post where Irwin was once again waiting and able to push it back to the near post where Schmidt was waiting practically on the goal line to send home the winner.

PIZZELLO LIGHTING THE LAMP...
The offensive eruption from senior Mike Pizzello has been a pleasant surprise for the Duhawks this season. In his previous two seasons on varsity, Pizzello registered five goals and four assists. To date, Pizzello has 10 goals and one assist, marking the first Duhawk to tally double digit goals since 2010, when Miguel Bonilla finished with 10 goals and seven assists.