DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras men's soccer team (6-4-0, 2-1-0 IIAC) moved back into form in convincing fashion with a 5–0 win over Central on Saturday inside the Rock Bowl. Senior
Alex Bradley was credited with the game-winner with his fifth minute bender. Loras kept the pressure on in the second half and added three more tallies, led by a brace from senior
Nick Nemmers.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
First Half
- In the fifth minute, senior Austin Jacobi kickstarted the Loras offense with a beauty of a pass from his left back position all the way up to senior Alex Bradley in the attacking third. After a step to his right, Bradley cut back to his left and bent home the goal past an outstretched dive from the keeper.
- Minutes later, senior Kyler Olson crossed a ball from the near sideline that was served right on the head of Braldey, but his header went wide of goal.
- Following a Loras corner in the 35th minute, Central's backline failed to clear the loose ball away, allowing junior Chris Paulino to pounce on the scoring opportunity, doubling the Duhawks' lead.
- Junior Eddie Gonzalez had possession on the far side and targeted an open Mark Broderick as he approached the top of the box. On the first touch, Broderick blasted home a would-be winner, but his shot sailed too high, caroming off the crossbar.
Second Half
- Out of the halftime break, junior Spencer Moore teed up a loose ball in the box with his bid going wide.
- Moore had possession of the ball on the far sideline and crossed the ball to senior Jonah Jacke, who after settling, directed his shot wide of the far post.
- Jacke refused to be denied, jumping back into the attacking third minutes later. Paulino chested a pass to Jacke 30 yards from goal and the Green Bay, Wis. native sent home the left-footed strike side-netting for the 3–0 lead.
- In the 74th minute, Loras narrowly missed from tacking on another when junior Michael Perhats went full extension to head his shot on target, only to be denied by Central's Josh Carpenter.
- Gonzalez earned his second assist of the season after spinning around his mark and dribbling the end line towards goal. Before a Dutch defender could intercept, Gonzalez slid across the bangoo to the feet of Nemmers to tap home for the goal.
- With time winding down, Loras' offense continued to press for more offense. Gonzalez delivered a cross into the six and after Paulino and Broderick knocked around it the air, Nemmers found himself with the ball at his feet and with an empty net in front of him scored his second of the match.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Nick Nemmers I The Dubuque native took advantage of his opportunity off the bench Saturday, tallying his first two collegiate goals to put the game out of reach. Nemmers finished with four shots, with two on target.
UP NEXT
Loras' next contest takes place on Tuesday on the road in Waverly. Wartburg most recently fell at home to UW-Platteville, 3–0. In the Iowa Conference standings, the Knights 8-4-1, 2-1-0 IIAC) are in a three-way tie for second place with Simpson and the Loras. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
