KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Duhawks.com) – The Loras College men's soccer team advanced to the NCAA Division III National Championship game for the first time in school history on Friday night, following a 1-nil victory over previously undefeated and top-ranked Calvin College. This is the first National Championship appearance for any program at Loras (18-4-1). Junior Jonah Jacke picked a great time to tally his first goal of the season, sending home the winner from inside the penalty area in the 39th minute. The Duhawks defense held the Knights (24-1-1) to just two shots on goal all night, both of which came in the final three minutes of the match.

TURNING POINT
The first 10 minutes of the game, Calvin was having a lot of success thanks to the play of their wingers, resulting in three corner kicks. After the 10th minute, Loras' defense settled in and began to force their agenda on Calvin, shifting the momentum of the match. Beginning in the 12th minute, Loras rattled off three great chances in a row, with junior Alex Bradley hitting the right post in the 14th minute.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
Both teams got out to a quick start, showing a pace of play unseen in the first semifinal of the night between SUNY-Oneonta and Amherst. Each side registered early chances, but neither were able to convert. Early on in the half, sophomore Jacob Peterson left his line in a dangerous situation, but thankfully the Loras backline was in position to prevent any damage from being done. Following this play, junior Alex Bradley saw the best chance of the half, banging his shot off the near post.

With the second line of forwards on in relief, senior Bryan Irwin flicked on the throw-in to the feet of junior Austin Jacobi who slipped the ball past his mark and into the box. On the first touch, junior Jonah Jacket delivered a left-footed shot into the top-corner past the outstretch reach of Calvin's Niko Giantsopoulos.

Jacke's goal put the Knights in very unfamiliar territory, down by a goal. It was only the second time this season that Calvin has trailed, but second time in the postseason.

Second Half
The "No Goal Patrol" stood out in the second half, allowing Calvin just two shots on goal towards the end of the match. Defensively, the Duhawks had success using their swarm technique. Calvin struggled to find holes in the swarm, resulting in many blocked shots. Sophomore Jacob Peterson left no doubt of his third-team all-region honor, making two saves and many other significant plays on the ball off corner kicks. The Knights did not record a shot on target until the 87th minute.

FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Richard Lenke | The senior showed up in a big way on Friday, recording four shots with two on target. While both of his shots on target were near goals, it was Lenke's pressure that created havoc for Calvin's center backs. Repeatedly, Lenke forced errant passes which turned into counter-attacks for the Duhawks.

Loras' back line played well over the course of the entire game. Senior Kevin Higgins played potentially the game of his career defensively, making crisp tackle after tackle on the back end. Even players from the front and middle came back on defense and proved to be stalwarts.

UP NEXT
Tomorrow Loras faces off against Amherst College, for the first time in program history, with a National Championship on the line. Amherst was victorious in penalties over SUNY Oneonta in the National Semifinals on Friday night. The Lord Jeffs enter tomorrow's action with a 17-1-2 record overall. In the National Tournament they've defeated Morrisville State, Lycoming, and Trinity (Tex.) prior to advancing to the Final Four.