DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras women's soccer team (6-3-0, 2-0-0 IIAC) returned to conference play Wednesday night and did so in definitive fashion, defeating the University of Dubuque, 4-1. Junior
Gretchen Schutz scored her fifth goal in three matches off a free kick in the 44th minute of play to open the scoring. Minutes later, the Duhawks benefited from a misplayed ball off a corner, resulting in an own goal by the Spartans, which served as the game-winner.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
FIRST HALF
- Loras controlled the first half of play, registering nine shots compared to three for Dubuque. In the seventh minute, sophomore Elizabeth Mills received a pass right in front of the Dubuque keeper where her shot went inches wide of hitting the far post.
- Junior Sydney Wright connected with Maura Walsh by the six yard box but Megan Moll was there to save her chance with the ball going out for a Loras corner.
- A cross for Dubuque came into the box where it fell to the feet of Kyleigh McLaughin who struck her shot far post with senior Maria Siebels diving to save it.
- Loras earned a corner in the 24th minute where Schutz crossed a ball that found the head of senior Hanna Burgmeier on the far post. Burgmeier's shot was directed on goal but it was blocked and cleared away.
- Freshman Savanna Fleeman reached a through ball on the near sideline and crossed a pass to Schutz at the top of the box and ripped a shot that was right at Megan Moll.
- The Spartans received a free kick in the 35th minute that Burgmeier reached and headed it away from danger.
- The Duhawks earned a free kick in the 44th minute 35 yards away from the Dubuque goal. Schutz directed the service on goal that beat Megan Moll top-corner for her fifth goal in three games and third consecutive match with a goal off a free kick, sending Loras into halftime ahead 1-0.
SECOND HALF
- Loras earned a corner in the 54th minute and crossed a ball to the near post where Walsh headed in her second goal of the season.
- Minutes later, Walsh received another cross into the box, this time from Mills, and Walsh took a touch before beating the keeper, giving Loras a commanding 3-0 lead.
- A failed Loras clearance led to a chance for Kyleigh McLaughlin for Dubuque to run onto the loose ball setting up a one-on-one with Siebels. McLaughlin beat the approaching Siebels to cut the Duhawk lead to 3-1.
- In the 72nd minute, Dubuque nearly cut the deficit to one after earning an indirect free kick on the six yard line. Fortunately for Loras, the Spartans put their shot over the crossbar.
- Dubuque kept the pressure on and Kyleigh McLaughlin teed up a loose ball in the 76th minute directing a hard shot on goal forcing a leaping save from Siebels.
- Loras' final tally came in the 79th minute, when Walsh delivered a through ball to Mills who finished with her left foot from inside the 18.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Maura Walsh | The forward was involved in the Loras attack all afternoon and it paid off with her tallying a pair of goals and assist in tonight's match. Walsh was a constant threat all night long.
UP NEXT
Loras will have the next couple of days off before welcoming Central to the Rock Bowl on Saturday afternoon. The Dutch (10-1-1, 2-0-0) extended their win streak to 10 after beating Simpson Wednesday night, 2-0. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
