CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – Even though it took 15 minutes for the scoreless draw to be broken, the Loras Men's Soccer team scored plenty of goals on Tuesday night on their way to a 9-nil victory over Coe College. Tuesday also marked Loras' largest margin of victory this season.
 
The opening minutes followed the script that most games have so far this season; fairly even play with Loras getting a few chances due to their speed and swarm mentality. After testing Coe goalkeeper Eric Hoar three times in the first 15 minutes, freshman Spencer Moore broke the scoreless tie thanks to a friendly carom off the side post.
 
Once Loras was ahead, Coe tightened up their defense and kept the Duhawks in check for the next 18 minutes, with Hoar making two more saves.
 
Loras' second line came on at the 25-minute mark and swung the momentum in their favor. Following a Coe goal kick, junior Jorge Simon won the 50/50 in the air and sprung junior Mike Gordon on a run. With just the keeper to beat, Gordon scorched his second goal of the year into the back of the net.
 
Three minutes later, senior Mike Pizzello added hiss 11th goal of the year, bending a shot from distance into the upper-90. Freshman Chris Alfaro earned the assist on the goal for the Duhawks.
 
The final goal of the opening 45 came 57 seconds later as sophomore Austin Jacobi sent a laser through the hands of Hoar and into the back of the net.
 
The 4-0 lead was enough for Loras to rest their starters in the second half, paving the way for the extended depth of the bench to get quality minutes.
 
In the 59th minute, Moore dribbled down to the end line and with a back heel flick, left it for junior Bryan Irwin who sent a cross across goal where sophomore Chris Paulino was waiting. With a simple redirection, Paulino made it 5-nil Duhawks.
 
Loras would score four more times over the remaining 30 minutes. Jacobi added his second in the 61st minute, and then junior Kevin Higgins finished a cross from Eddie Gonzales in the 63rd minute to make it 7-nil.
 
A corner kick in the 76th minute by junior Nick Popa connected with sophomore Calvin Miller in front of goal to make it 8-nil.
 
Capping the scoring for Loras in the 77th minute was Paulino with his second of the night.
 
Loras finishes the regular season with an overall record of 14-2-1 and a perfect 7-0-0 record in conference play.