DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – After earning a bye in the first round of the Iowa Conference Tournament, the 7th-ranked Loras College Men's Soccer team made their postseason debut in the Rock Bowl on Wednesday night with a 2-1 overtime victory over University of Dubuque. Sophomore Kyler Olson opened the scoring in the 68th minute and Bryan Irwin tallied the game winner in the 98th minute.

In the first half, the Duhawks attacked the Spartans spending most of their time in the offensive third. Dubuque's goalkeeper, Riley Jensen, made it clear early on that the win would not come easy for the Duhawks. Loras racked up 13 shots and eight corners in the first 45 minutes with a number of promising chances coming from corner kicks served up by senior Tom Fluegel.

The Duhawks found the board in the 68th minute when Kyler Olson scored the first goal of the night. Junior Tyler Cruikshank beat two Spartans up the line and sent his offering into the top of the box. Olson settled the ball and drilled his shot home into the side netting and out of the reach of Jensen.

The Spartans fought back finding the equalizer ten minutes later from the foot of Brandon Wiley. Sanchez laid the ball off the Wiley at the top of the box and his shot was driven low into the right corner just out of the reach of sophomore Adam Roloff.
The Duhawks came close to finishing the game in the 85th minute but Jensen had other plans. Sophomore Calvin Miller sent a driven shot into the goal mouth, but had it punched out and fell at the feet of senior Tom Fluegel near the penalty spot. Fluegel sent a low driven shot back towards Jensen, who once again deflected it out of danger.

Junior Justin Giacotto found the ball just outside the box and beat two defenders only to find a shot that hit the far post. Miller gathered Giacotto's deflection for another low shot to Jensen's left but he once again denied the Duhawks the chance to take the lead.

At the end of regulation, the teams remained tied at one, warranting the Duhawks' fourth overtime contest of the season. Ultimately, it was Bryan Irwin who was the hero, scoring the game winner in the 98th minute.

Freshman Spencer Moore served a ball from midfield into the box for junior Tyler Cruikshank at the far post. Cruikshank kept his pass on the ground and through two defenders, giving Irwin plenty of space and a golden opportunity to boot home the winner.

With the win, Loras improves to 15-2-1 on the year and advances to Saturday's Iowa Conference Tournament Championship against Wartburg who defeated Luther 1-0.