WHEATON, Ill. (Duhawks.com) - The Loras College Men's Soccer team saw their season come to abrupt halt Saturday night as they fell to No. 2 Trinity University 2-1. Senior Tom Fluegel's beauty of a goal in the first half was trounced by two Trinity goals in the opening 15 minutes of the second half to carry the Tigers to the Elite 8. In a rematch of last year's sectional championship, the Tigers (23-1) entered as the second-ranked team and winners of their last 21 games. This time around, it would be the Tigers who walked off the field victorious.

Off the opening whistle, the Duhawks (17-3-2) were quick to establish their style of play and early indications led those in attendance to believe the speed and physicality of Loras was going to win out. Trinity registered the first shot on target as Simon Uribe tested sophomore Adam Roloff in the 13th minute. The Tigers rattled off three more shots in the 10 minutes that followed, but failed to put any of them on target.

In the 23rd minute, Fluegel corralled the ball near midfield and dribbled into the attacking third. Anticipating a layoff pass, the Trinity defenders failed to step to the ball and gave Fluegel all the window he needed. With a flick of his right foot, Fluegel tucked his shot into the upper-90, giving Loras the 1-0 lead.

The goal was just what Loras was looking for and gave them the extra little bit of momentum they needed.

In the 39th minute, sophomore Kyler Olson won a loose ball at midfield and dribbled it into an attacking position. Rather than taking the shot, Olson fed Fluegel on his right into the box. With Cardone charging off his line, Fluegel ripped his shot on frame, but a quick reaction by Cardone denied Fluegel of the double.

Loras had all the momentum heading into halftime and came out with the game plan of securing the lead with the next goal. Unfortunately for Loras, this year would be a complete reversal of last year's contest.

In the 48th minute, Trinity earned a corner kick and following a botched clearing attempt, Zacharias Edholm blasted a half-volley to the far post through traffic to level the sides at one.

Twelve minutes later, disaster struck for Loras as a misplayed ball fell to the feet of Edholm who fed Goncalo Santana into the attacking third. Santana struck it in such a way that despite a valiant effort from sophomore goalkeeper Adam Roloff, he was unable to reach it, putting the Tigers ahead 2-1.

The final 30 minutes saw the Duhawks throw everything at the Trinity back line including the kitchen sink, but Cardone and his defense stood tall. In the final 10 minutes alone, Loras hit the post once and had three chances right on the doorstep, but either pushed the attempts wide or had them saved.

When the final seconds ticked off the clock, it brought an end to the careers of Sean Elvert, Tom Fluegel, Mike Pizzello, Mitch Burgmeier, JD Perez, Josh Kutzke, and Dillon Olson. While an exit in the "Sweet 16" wasn't what they had in store for this season, this group of seniors has played a major role in the continuation of excellence that Loras College Soccer lives up to every season.