DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The Loras Women's Soccer team returned to normal form on Wednesday night in the Rock Bowl, handing UW-Platteville at 2-nil setback to collect their first win at home this season. The game-winner came off a UW-Platteville own goal in the 9' and junior Kat Hermanas tallied her first of the year in the 43' to give Loras the comfortable two-goal victory.

A rocky start to the season has put Loras in an unfamiliar situation with a record under .500. It has been seven years since the last time Loras was in this position, a year in which they started 4-5 before finishing 14-7.

From the opening kick, the Duhawks showcased their strength on the field, completing a number of passes through the midfield and transitioning well into the attacking third.

Loras earned their first corner kick at the 8:36 mark in the first half. Sophomore Madie Avery bent her kick towards the head of Murphy, but it was Murphy's mark who flicked it on towards the back post and in to give the Duhawks the early lead.

With the lead in hand, Loras maintained control of the match throughout the rest of the half, holding the Pioneers to just three shots and only one on target. Meanwhile, the Duhawks peppered UW-Platteville goalkeeper Katie Rash with six shots, forcing her to make four saves.

Nearing halftime, sophomore Hanna Burgmeier sent a bouncing ball into the 18 and with Rath charging off her line, Hermanas joined in the rush. When Rath failed to cleanly grab the loose ball, Hermanas was in position to slot home the insurance goal from six yards out.

Loras had a number of chances early on in the second half, with the best coming from senior Sarah Small in the 48th. Junior Katie Truesdale made a break down the line and had space to turn and send her cross into the box. Small was right on the mark and had her shot smothered by Mandy Taylor, who came on for Rath in the second half.

Head Coach Dan Rothert was able to extend to the deepest depths of his bench given the two-goal lead, with 36 different players earning time on the field.

In the end, the Pioneers could only muster two shots on frame, both of which were turned away by the Duhawks.

The win brings Loras back to level pegging ahead of Saturday's conference opener against Central College. On Tuesday, the Dutch saw their four game unbeaten streak come to an end with a 1-nil setback to St. Kate's. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.