WAVERLY, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras men's soccer team held their bitter rivals, Wartburg, in check on Saturday night, posting a 2-nil shutout to improve to 3-0-0 in Iowa Conference play. Senior
Kevin Higgins shined on defense, as Loras posted their seventh clean sheet of the 2015 campaign.
Senior
Alex Bradley opened the scoring in the 16th minute, finishing a half-volley strike courtesy of fellow senior
Johnny Rummelhart to put the Duhawks out in front early. Rummelhart spun his defender inside the penalty area and served a low-cross back to Bradley in front of goal who drilled home his fourth third goal of the year.
Loras goalkeeper
Jacob Peterson was called upon to stop four shots in the opening frame, standing tall to the task on each occasion. The sophomore finished with six saves on the night.
Early in the second half, Loras (7-3-1, 3-0-0 IIAC) nearly doubled their advantage on a combination play between Bradley and senior
Mike Gordon inside the six. Wartburg goalkeeper Austin Boyke smothered the loose ball before Bradley could secure the brace, leaving Loras ahead by just the one tally.
In the 67th minute, Loras found the insurance goal they were looking for, thanks to another good run past the Wartburg backline. After missing the initial target on the cross, junior
Jonah Jacke collected the loose ball and served a dime to the far post where senior
Austin Jacobi was all alone to head home his team-leading fourth goal of the year.
In the waning minutes of the match, Bradley once again nearly struck gold with the left-foot from the top of the 18, but a save from Boyke denied the forward of his fourth goal of the year.
Wartburg (8-4-1, 1-2-0 IIAC) outshot Loras 16-14, with six on target. The Knights also held the advantage in corner kicks, 5-2.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Alex Bradley | The United Kingdom product put Loras in the drivers' seat early, giving the Duhawks the early one-goal advantage.
Kevin Higgins | Charged with man-marking elusive Wartburg forward Paris Martins, Higgins limited Martins to one shot on target, while earning Loras their third straight clean sheet in conference play.
UP NEXT
Loras welcomes Coe to the Rock Bowl on Tuesday for round four of the Iowa Conference schedule. On Saturday, Coe earned their first win in conference play, defeating Buena Vista in overtime, 2-1. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
