DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The Loras College men's soccer team opened up Iowa Conference play with a 3-2 win over the Central College Dutch Saturday afternoon in the Rock Bowl. The Duhawks were able to change their recent trend and get on the board first as freshman Calvin Miller headed in a ball past the keeper in the 8'. Loras added two more goals in the first three minutes of the second half to jump out to a 3-0 lead. The Dutch added two late goals to cut the Loras lead to only one, which was where things ended.

Sophomore Chris Paulino drew a foul in the 7', which set up a free kick for sophomore Alex Bradley from 40 yards out. With his teammates gathered at the top of the 18, Bradley sent a low ball into the box and connected with Miller who sent the header into the back of the net.

From there the Duhawks owned all the momentum and really controlled the ball the rest of the half. The Duhawk offensive was able to tally seven shots and had three corner kicks.

Coming out of the halftime break, the Duhawks were quick to strike, adding goals in the 47' and 48'. With a 50/50 ball in the box, senior Mike Pizzello drew a foul and earned Loras a PK. Senior Tom Fluegel stepped to the penalty spot for the first time this season and blasted home the winner. For Fluegel, it was his first goal of the season.

In transition, a lofted ball fell into the box where Fluegel could drop a pass off for Paulino who had plenty of open net to slot home the winner, his first of the year. With the three-goal lead in hand, the Duhawks looked as if they were going to run away with things in their conference opener.

Slowly but surely, however, the Dutch began to chip away at the deficit, earning a bit of momentum throughout the second half.

Their efforts would be rewarded in the 78' when Dennis Forrest was taken down in the box by junior Sam Koenig on his way to goal, giving Central a PK. Mark Hentschel stepped to the spot and just barely got it by Adam Roloff, who got a piece of it with his right hand, but couldn't quite keep it out of the net.

Central added another goal with just over two minutes remaining but their comeback effort fell short as the final whistle blew and the Duhawks came out victorious. Loras totaled 22 shots and five corners in the game. The win improves the No. 13 Duhawks to 8-1-1 on the year and 1-0-0 in Iowa Conference play.