DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - With last Saturday's win over Buena Vista, the Loras men's soccer team clinched at least a share of their ninth Iowa Conference Title in the last 10 years. A win on Tuesday night against the University of Dubuque will give Loras the No. 1 seed in the IIAC Tournament and sole possession of the regular season championship.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS •••Dubuque has come from the middle of the table in the preseason poll to make a run for the Iowa Conference title in 2015, largely on the back of forward Gonzalo Hernandez. With five game-winners already, Hernandez leads the Spartan offense with 13 goals and eight assists in 16 games. After him, there is significant dropoff in Dubuque's offensive production. In goal, Riley Jensen has started all 16 matches and owns a 1.03 goals against average and a .791 save percentage.
ALL-TIME AGAINST DUBUQUE •••Loras has never lost to Dubuque, owning a blemish-free 18-0-0 form.
LAST TIME OUT AGAINST DUBUQUE •••These two sides met in the Iowa Conference Tournament semifinal and needed extra time after finishing regulation level at 1-all.
Bryan Irwin's goal in the 98th minute lifted the Duhawks into the IIAC Tournament Championship thanks to an assist from
Tyler Cruikshank and
Spencer Moore. In the game, Loras outshot Dubuque 33-9, putting 17 shots on target. Riley Jensen finished with 12 saves in the loss.
BLEMISH-FREE IN IIAC •••Through five games of their Iowa Conference schedule, Loras is a perfect 5-0-0. In the preseason poll, Loras and Wartburg were favorites to win the conference, but a 2-nil decision made clear who of the two teams had more quality. All that remains on the schedule for the Duhawks are Buena Vista and Dubuque, two teams that Loras has four combined losses to in the history of their program.
PLAYING THE BEST DIII HAS TO OFFER •••Heading into the home stretch of the 2015 regular season, the Duhawks rank fifth in Division III for strength of schedule. Luther is the closest IIAC school at No. 23.
STINGY DEFENSE BACK IN FULL FORCE •••In the last month of play, dating back to Sept. 26, Loras has conceded three goals while scoring 19 of their own. Up until the 77th minute against Luther, the Duhawks had yet to concede in Iowa Conference play.
SIMON SAYS •••The Duhawks have been in impressive form of late and much of that can be credited to senior
Jorge Simon's recent hot streak. Simon, who now leads the Duhawks with eight goals on the season, has been especially effective on free kicks in the 2105 campaign. He now has scored in four of Loras' last five games and totaled an impressive six goals and two assists in that span. His recent success has not only translated to better play for the Duhawks, but also selected for Iowa Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week.
NO GOAL PATROL •••With
Jacob Peterson in goal and a senior-heavy backline, Loras leads the Iowa Conference in shutouts with six.
TOP OF THE PACK •••The Loras men's soccer team will begin this week with a perfect 6-0-0 conference record. Within their first six conference matches, Loras has only allowed one goal that came in their 5-1 win against Luther on Oct. 17. The team has scored an impressive 26 goals throughout conference play, the highest in the Iowa Conference. Fittingly, Loras' final conference match up will be against the University of Dubuque. The Spartans sit directly behind the Duhawks with a 5-1-0 record. The Spartans lone loss came at the hands of Luther in a 3-nil defeat.
SIR ALEX BRADLEY •••Senior captain
Alex Bradley has shown aggressive play in the last few games for the Duhawks taking nine shots in the last two games and tallying two assists. Knowing postseason is right around the corner, Bradley realizes his passing and scoring ability is important for teams to recognize so that his teammates have more chances to get open. His play provides a consistent offense for the Duhawks going into their final conference game.
SECOND-HALF STRIKERS •••The depth of the Loras men's soccer team can't be questioned, as many of the role players have provided quality minutes, great defensive play, and offense. When it comes to providing offense, the second half has been when the role players have scored many goals that are timely, and important. Out of the 42 goals scored by the Duhawks this season, 24 of them have come in the second half.
