DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – A plethora of goals were in the cards for the Loras Men's Soccer team on Saturday afternoon in the Rock Bowl, as they moved to 3-0-0 in Iowa Conference play with a 6-nil victory against Buena Vista. Senior Mike Pizzello tallied two goals (3', 31'), including the game-winner to lead Loras in the win.
 
Less than three minutes in, Pizzello found himself outside of the penalty area but saw a shooting lane and directed his shot to the far post. The bouncing ball made its way through the Buena Vista backline and beat Jordan Balster to the post, putting the Duhawks ahead 1-0.
 
Minutes later, Pizzello found himself in the shooting lane once again, but this time Balster was on the spot and made the save. Unfortunately for the Beavers, Balster could not control the rebound, leaving it for freshman Spencer Moore to pounce on for his second goal of the season.
 
In the 15th minute, a 50/50 win by junior Jorge Simon resulted in a corner kick opportunity for the Duhawks. Senior Tom Fluegel sent his corner into the penalty area only to have it cleared back out to him near the top of the 18. After making his first mark miss, Fluegel was taken down in the box and the center official awarded the Duhawks with a penalty kick.
 
Simon converted the penalty with ease, making it 3-0 Loras.
 
Loras, once again deep inside the Buena Vista end, earned a throw in the 21st minute. With his targets in the penalty area, Fluegel launched his throw into the box and connected with Pizzello on the hop. A flick on by Pizzello sent home the winner to the far post, making it 4-0 Loras less than 15 minutes into the game.
 
The remainder of the half consisted of numerous scoring opportunities by the Duhawks, but none that were completed.
 
Buena Vista's best chance of the half came in the 45th minute as they earned back-to-back throw-in's to put them deep in Loras' zone. In the end, the Loras backline stood firm and cleared away the danger just before the end of the half.
 
With the match firmly in their grasp, head coach Dan Rothert opted to rest his key players in the second half, opening the door for some of the younger members on the varsity squad to make an impact.
 
A change in goal by the Beavers saw Matt Tennyson step in, and while he held Loras to only two goals, he was challenged early and often.
 
After Simon drew a foul from 35 yards out, senior JD Perez sent his free kick directly at Tennyson who parried the strike away from goal and out for a corner. On the ensuring set piece, the Duhawks could not convert, leaving the score at 4-nil.
 
In the 64th minute, sophomore Kyler Olson dribbled down the near line and after creating space from his mark, sent a low cross to the top of the 18 where junior Mike Gordon was waiting and with his left foot, sent home the winner to add to the Loras lead.
 
With time winding down, the Duhawks kept their intensity high. In the 85th minute, senior Sam Koenig booted a deep ball from his sweeper position all the way into the attacking third. Sophomore Jonah Jacke read the ball all the way and worked to get himself into a position to pounce for a scoring opportunity. After settling and working through the last Buena Vista defender, Jacke slotted home the sixth and final tally of the day for the Duhawks.