DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The Duhawks continued to build on their early season success Friday night with a 2-nil win over Carleton College in the Rock Bowl. Junior Tyler Cruikshank scored the game winner in the 11' and Jorge Simon added the insurance goal in the 84'. Senior goalkeeper Sean Elvert earned his third clean sheet of the season making four saves for the Duhawks.

Loras got off to a somewhat uncharacteristic slow start offensively, struggling to create chances and find rhythm in the attacking third. Senior Johnny Rummelhart made the first attempt at the Carleton net when he broke through the defense to the end line but his shot was sent high over the cross bar in the 6'. Dillon Olson and Tom Fluegel both made an impact for the Duhawks with their throws from distance early in the first half. On a Fluegel throw in the 10', Olson settled the ball at the top of the box and dished it off to Cruikshank who sent a half volley into the box and off a Knight defender. The deflection spun up and over the reach of Keenan Smith and into the back of the net to give Loras the early lead.

Following the goal, the Duhawks took control of the game's momentum, keeping the ball in the Knights' defensive half the majority of the opening 45. Olson put Smith to the test in the 31' when he received the ball at the penalty spot. Olson took a point-blank shot at Smith who managed to get his right hand on the ball to deflect it out to safety.

Carleton's most promising scoring opportunity came in the 70' from Will Schifeling. Stephen Johnson broke down the right line and found enough room to send the ball across into the penalty area to an awaiting Branden McGarrity. McGarrity headed the ball down to Schiefling who brought Elvert off his line. Schiefling's shot made it past Elvert but Jimmy Ralph was waiting at the goal line to clear his shot out of danger.

Despite taking seven shots in the second half, the Duhawks didn't have many offensive opportunities. Junior Jorge Simon made a difference in the offensive third late in the game.
 
In the 82' Simon bent a ball across the front of the goal to the back post where Olson missed a header opportunity by inches. Two minutes later, Fluegel's corner kick offering found the head of sophomore Alex Bradley. His offering on frame was rejected, but fell to the feet of Simon out near the top of 18. With a step to his right, Simon let it rip and after making its way through the crowded penalty area, hit the netting for a much-needed insurance goal. It was Simon's second goal in as many games, as he scored on a free kick in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Carroll University.
 
Elvert posted his third clean sheet in four games to start the season, improving his overall record to 4-0-0.
 
Loras returns to the Rock Bowl on Sunday for a non-conference matchup with University of St. Thomas. The Tommies won a thriller on Friday night, scoring the game-winning goal in the second overtime to defeat Lake Forest College.
 
Kick off is set for 1 p.m.