INDIANOLA, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras men's soccer team moved to within one win of its 11th Iowa Conference Championship on Saturday, defeating Simpson on the road, 3-1. Three first half goals powered the Duhawks, led by sophomore
Ryan Ross' strike in the 17th minute and senior
Kyler Olson's fourth match-winner in the 32nd minute.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
First Half
- A quick start from the Duhawks saw Olson record the game's first shot 39 seconds into the first half. The offensive pressure continued with a header shot on goal from senior Erik Ziolkowski and a shot from senior Alex Bradley, both of which were saved.
- Ross broke the ice in the 17th minute, putting away his fifth goal of the season from 20 yards out.
- Loras continued to build off the momentum, targeting two more shots on target along with a corner kick in the minutes following.
- In the 32nd minute, Olson doubled the Duhawks' lead on a feed from freshman Liam O'Connell at the top of the 18, bringing his season goal total to seven, including his third in as many matches.
- With the third wave on the pitch, sophomore Ian Lenke was rewarded for his pace, getting on the end of a cross from senior Jimmy Ralph to drive home his third goal of the season, all of which have come in his last two outings.
- Trailing by three, all Simpson could muster before the end of the half was a pair of shots that missed high and off target.
Second Half
- Loras' first half dominance was contained, in sorts, for much of the second half. After a 9-4 advantage in shots to open, the Duhawks were held to six shots in the second half, with all three shots on target being saved.
- Junior Jacob Peterson made four saves on the evening, including three in the second half.
- In the 73rd minute, Simpson finally cracked the defesive wall in front of Peterson, as Garrett Pochop served in a cross to the box and found Donevan Roe who beat Peterson to the post.
- Outside of his assist, Pochop, who came in as the Storm's leading scorer with 16 goals and four assists, was relatively silent on the night. Senior Calvin Miller defended his mark to perfection, holding Pochop without a shot on target.
- With the win, Loras maintains its perfect form, now extending to six matches and dating back to Oct. 8.
SOUNDBITES | Calvin Miller
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Calvin Miller | The senior defender proved once again his worth as a top-tier defender in the league, shutting down Simpson's primary forward, Garrett Pochop, who leads the Iowa Conference in scoring. Against the IIAC's top-five goal scorers, Miller and the defense have conceded one goal.
UP NEXT
The regular season comes to an end for Loras next Tuesday, but there is still much at stake. The Duhawks sit atop the IIAC table with 18 points and 6-1-0 record. A win versus Luther on Tuesday lifts Loras to its 11th IIAC Regular Season Championship in program history and guarantees home-pitch advantage for the IIAC Tournament. Kickoff against Luther is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
