DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – While the first chapter of Saturday's script didn't go according to plan, the ending fell on fortunate terms for the Duhawks as they wrapped up their ninth Iowa Conference Regular Season Championship with a 3-1 victory over No. 13 Wartburg College. The Class of 2015 capped their final regular season game knowing that they will have playoff soccer to return to in the Rock Bowl.
In the only top-15 matchup of the evening, Wartburg found the start they were looking for. Zubeen Azari sent a screamer on goal in the 18th minute, beating sophomore goalkeeper
Adam Roloff to the near post. The goal was Azari's seventh of the year.
While it would take 18 more minutes for Loras to equalize, it proved to be worth the wait.
For the second time in as many games, Loras' second wave provided a significant lift to the offensive production. This time, it was sophomore
Kyler Olson who kickstarted play with his service into the penalty area. Junior
Bryan Irwin fought his way through and headed home the winner for his second of the year.
Reeling off the equalizer, the Duhawks continued to build off the momentum and were rewarded minutes later when senior
JD Perez saw his free kick from 50 yards out sail into the back of the net.
The first half ended with the Duhawks owning the advantage on the stat sheet in shots (8-6), while the sides were level on saves and corner kicks.
Out of the halftime break, Loras maintained the advantage, nearly adding an insurance goal on multiple occasions. In the 77th minute, senior
Mike Pizzello headed on what could have been his 11th goal of the year, but instead was denied as his offering bounced off the post.
Ninety-six seconds later, the insurance goal finally came as senior
Dillon Olson fought his way through a flock of defenders on a 40-yard dribble. Once inside the penalty area, Olson saw a seam, dribbled to his right and ripped home his first goal of the year and first goal since October 15, 2011, when he converted a penalty kick against Simpson College.
The win moves the Duhawks to 13-2-1 overall and 6-0 in the Iowa Conference. With 18 points in the table, Loras clinched their third consecutive and ninth overall Iowa Conference Regular Season Championship.
Game ChangerFollowing Zubeen Azari's goal in the 18th minute, the Duhawks grabbed the momentum and never let go. It would take them until the 36th minute to find level ground, but the Duhawks dictated the remaining 72 minutes.
Key StatThe game-winner and insurance goals were both scored by seniors who were playing in their last regular season home game in the Rock Bowl.
Notables- Loras increased their home winning streak against Wartburg to five games. The last time the Duhawks fell at home to Wartburg was back in 2009 in the Iowa Conference Tournament Championship.
- Loras will receive a first round bye in the 2014 Iowa Conference Tournament
QuotableLoras Men's Soccer Head Coach Dan Rothert"I think last year we tried to treat it as another game on the schedule and maybe that was the wrong approach as we got beat at Wartburg. We talked a lot about the rivalry this week and what it meant to our alumni. We looked at it as our first NCAA Tournament game. Winning this means that you'll host in the conference tournament all the way through."
"Our subs really came on for the second game in a row, they brought us back and got us two goals today. That energy totally changed the game. It shows that our system works. All of our subbing wore them down both physically and mentally."
"To see those guys get rewarded for their efforts after everything they've been through is great. To have those seniors step up is awesome. I'm proud of them and what they've accomplished."
Senior Mike Pizzello"Practice was intense this week, we knew what was at stake. Everyone had the mentality that we had to come out and win this game."
"Our games with Wartburg are always physical, we can't back down. If we win the individual battles we know we can win the game."
Senior Dillon Olson"I saw an opening, took it past a couple guys and when I got to that last defender he hesitated so I didn't even think about it and curled it in."
Up NextLoras wraps up the regular season next Tuesday when they travel to Cedar Rapids and take on Coe College. The Kohawks currently sit at 4-13 overall and 1-5 in conference play.
