DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The Duhawks took on the Washington University in St. Louis Bears on a hot and humid Sunday afternoon in the Rock Bowl. The fourth-ranked Bears defeated the No. 22 Duhawks 2-0. The Bears outshot the Duhawks 21-8 relentlessly pressuring senior goalkeeper Hannah Wilson.

The Bears returned their leading scorer from 2013, Lillie Toaspern, who along with the rest of the Washington U. offense tested the Loras backline early and often taking 15 shots in the first 45 minutes.

In the 18', head coach Dan Rothert switched up the lineup to better handle the offensive pressure from the Bears. The Duhawks started the game with a 4-3-3 but dropped back one of their forwards into the midfield for a 4-4-2.

The change in the lineup brought junior Kat Hermanas into the game who immediately made a difference on both the defensive and offensive side of the ball. Junior Katie Truesdale made a break up the right side beating the Bears defender to send a cross across the top of the box for Hermanas. Hermanas' shot was gathered up by Bears goalkeeper Lizzy Crist but changed the momentum of the game for the Duhawks.

In a span of five minutes starting in the 23', the Bears broke through and earned two quality chances in the attacking third. Toaspern led the attack for the Bears, hitting the crossbar in the 24' and followed up her effort two minutes later with a shot attempt from inside the 18. Wilson recognized the direction of the shot and was quick to make the stop, keeping the sides level at zero.

The Bears broke the scoreless tie in the 29', capitalizing on a poor clearance and confusion in the box. Washington U. senior Tessa Klump flicked the ball into the box for junior Olivia Lillegraven. Wilson came off her line but was unable to clear the ball from danger, resulting in a Bears goal.

Minutes after falling behind, Truesdale combined with sophomore Hannah Burgmeier on a run into the attacking third. Before Truesdale could finish the run, she was fouled outside the 18. The resulting free kick taken by sophomore Madie Avery but she sent her offering sailing over the five-man wall and out of play.

Loras came out after the half looking for an equalizer and turned up the pressure on Washington U. Truesdale had a good opportunity in the 50', breaking through the middle of the field and sending the ball across the top of the box for Claire Murphy. Murphy's quick shot was off frame, floating over the crossbar.

In the 61' minute, Burgmeier led freshman Lauren Bolnius on with a great ball through the Bear's midfield. Bolnius attacked the goal but her breakaway was broken up by Crist as she came out diving to her left to grabbing the ball and denying the Duhawks a chance to even the score.

Despite the pursuit of goal by Loras, the Bears' offense continued to work and eventually was rewarded with an insurance goal in the 75'. Lillegraven netted her second of the day with a rocket from 30 yards out that just barely caught the fingertips of Wilson in goal, but the Waunakee native couldn't get enough of it to direct it off frame.

Trailing by two with less than 15 minutes to play, the Duhawks did everything they could to break through the Bears' defense, but in the end, fell short, 2-0. Wilson finished with 10 saves, while Crist turned away both shots she saw in goal.

Loras travels to Waukesha, Wisconsin on Tuesday for a midweek matchup with Carroll University. The Pioneers opened their 2014 season with a 2-1 setback to UW-La Crosse on Friday.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.