KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Duhawks.com) - For the first time in school history, the Loras College men's soccer team has advanced to the National Championship game. After falling in each of their previous four opportunities in the Final Four, the Duhawks defeated Calvin College by a final score of 1-0. Junior Jonah Jacke scored his first goal of the season in the 39th minute
 

All-Time Series Against Amherst
Tonight marks the first time the Duhawks have been opposed by Amherst in program history. Each side is in search of their first ever National Title, as neither side had advanced to the final previously.

Scouting The Lord Jeffs
Much like the Duhawks, Amherst plays a high-energy style of play and puts a ton of pressure on the opposing defense. This season Amherst has conceded just four goals, and haven't allowed opponents to score in the NCAA Tournament this season. Amherst has a special combination of players that contain size, speed, and skill which is something the Duhawks haven't seen a ton this season. The Lord Jeffs may be at a disadvantage heading into the final simply due to the duration of the Final Four match against SUNY-Oneonta in which they went to penalties. Amherst subbed in just four new faces in their semifinal as opposed to Loras' eight.

What to Watch For Against Amherst
This match will come down to the defense of each team and their ability to stymie All-American caliber forwards Johnny Rummelhart and Nico Pascual-Leone from each side. Pascual-Leone had an impressive senior season, resulting in 13 goals, five of which proved to be game-winners. Much like Calvin, Amherst boasts one of the top goalkeepers in the nation in Thomas Bull. Bull owns the NCAA Division III record for most shutouts in a career and this season ranked first in the nation with a 0.19 goals against average. The team that scores first will grab a significant upper-hand towards their ultimate goal of a national championship because chances on either sides keeper are slim to none. Sophomore Jacob Peterson and the Duhawk defense allowed only two shots on goal against top-ranked Calvin, with both coming in the final four minutes of action.

One Last Ride
Tonight's championship match marks the final time at 12 senior soccer players will suit up for the Duhawks. To date these seniors have amassed a 76-11-7 record, equal to a .846 winning percentage. This group of seniors have played in the NCAA Tournament each of the last four seasons, amassing a record of 12-3-1 in those tournament matches. With three final four appearances in four years and a win in the national semifinal, this senior class will go down as the most prolific in school history. Tonight, they play for the first NCAA National Championship in Loras' athletic history.

Duhawks Down No. 1 Team For First Time
For the first time in program history, the Duhawks defeated the No. 1-ranked team in the nation. Calvin entered Friday's match with a 24-0-1 record and the top team in the final regular season poll by the NSCAA. Loras' win also broke a four-match winless streak in national semifinal matches. A goal in the 39th minute by junior Jonah Jacke secured the victory, before the defense suffocated the Knights. Calvin registered only two chances on goal thanks to the outstanding play of Loras' backline, led by senior Sam Koenig.