WHITEWATER, Wisconsin (Duhawks.com) – In the opening game of the 2014 season, the No. 3 Duhawks travelled to University of Wisconsin–Whitewater where they battled for 90 minutes to earn a 3-0 victory and rights to the "Hawk Cup" for another year. Junior Bryan Irwin netted the game-winner in the 10', followed up by insurance goals in the 23' and 45' by senior Johnny Rummelhart and sophomore Kyler Olson.

Despite the high temperature at kickoff, Loras set the pace early, quickly taking control of the game. They immediately challenged the Warhawks offensively taking their first shot on goal in the fifth minute. Both teams played physically resulting in a number of free kicks. The first came in the eighth minute which resulted in a Jimmy Ralph kick that was scooped up by Whitewater goalkeeper, Alex Buchman.

In the 10', sophomore Alex Bradley was fouled just outside the Warhawks' box. Bradley lofted the ball across the goal to the weak post where junior Bryan Irwin was waiting. Irwin nailed the ball past Buchman with his head for the Duhawks' first goal of the night.

Loras continued the forward pressure creating promising combinations and forcing the Warhawks to handle a constant swarming pressure. Rummelhart was next to find the back of the net in the 22'. The Duhawks put together a series of passes which led Rummelhart into the top of the box where he slid the ball past the hands of Buchman to put Loras up 2-0.

The physicality further picked up after the Duhawks' second goal resulting in a number of free kicks for both teams. Junior Mike Gordon received a yellow card for a tackle from behind but the Warhawks were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.

Sophomore Kyler Olson put Loras' third goal on the board in the 44' when he found himself inside the six and drilled his shot past Buchman for his first goal of the season.

Senior goalkeeper, Sean Elvert, was relatively unchallenged in the first half but came out in the second half and made some big saves for Loras. The Warhawks came out fighting right away, determined to get on the board, but Elvert defended his line with a vengeance, coming up with a big save in the 47' on a shot attempt from Jordan Wilkins. Elvert thwarted another Warhawk attempt at the goal and quickly started the counter attack back the other direction with a long lead pass to Rummelhart.

The Warhawks continued to test the Loras defense for the remainder of the second half but were unable to find the back of the net. Despite some promising chances from the Duhawks, they were kept off the scoreboard in the final 45, handing Wisconsin-Whitewater the 3-nil loss.

Loras will host Willamette University on Sunday afternoon in the Rock Bowl for their home opener. The Bearcats dropped a heartbreaker to Lake Forest College on Friday, losing in double overtime. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. following the women's match.