PREVIEWING THE DUTCH...
Loras opens conference play on Saturday at home against the Central College Dutch. The Dutch are coming off a 9-9-1 season with a record of 2-5-0 in Iowa Conference play resulting in a sixth place finish. When the two teams met last year, the Duhawks handed the Dutch a 2-1 loss. The Dutch lost their starting goalkeeper in Tim Maggard who went 6-7-1 last year with a 1.23 Goals Against Average.

On offense, Central returns their leading goal scorer in Aleksandar Glavas. The Loves Park, Illinois native finished the 2013 season with 10 goals and five assists totalling 25 points. New-comer, Salvador Villanueva, leads the Dutch in 2014 with two goals and one assist for five points on the seaon.

Through the first part of the season, Central has had a bumpy road and comes into Saturday's contest with a 2-7-0 overall record. The Dutch offense has gone stagnant, scoring only five goals in nine contests. Opponents have found holes in their defense, scoring 12 goals on 53 shots. Seven of Central's nine contests this year have come by a single goal, with the Dutch falling on the sour side five times.

PREVIEWING THE SPARTANS...
While this year's "Dubuque Derby" won't carry with it the same level of implications as years past, the Duhawks will look to keep their record perfect against their crosstown rivals. Since the beginning of men's soccer at Loras College, the Duhawks have never lost to the Spartans. Loras added to their total last year with a 2-nil decision at Oyen Field. The last time these sides met in the Rock Bowl, the Duhawks doubled up the Spartans 2-nil, with goals coming from Tom Fluegel and Ryan Schneider.

Dubuque is off to a rocky start this year, entering the week of play with a 2-5-2 overall record. Gonzalo Hernandez paces the Spartans on the scoresheet with three goals and one assist, including one goal from the penalty spot. Brandon Wiley follows him closely with three goals on the year. In goal, Dubuque has split time between Jose Resendiz and Riley Jensen. The two have combined for a 1.16 goals against average and a .817 save percentage.