DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - Following a weekend when the Loras women's soccer team won two matches and claimed the Advantage Emblem Cup, they return to action on Tuesday for a non-conference match against Augustana on the road. Loras has been paced by steady play in the back with senior Hanna Burgmeier and junior Sydney Wright holding down the back line and senior Maria Siebels allowing just one goal go by her through four matches. Offensively, the Duhawks to this point have been diverse in their attack with six various players recording a goal. 

MATCH PREVIEW

Augustana, like Loras, enters Tuesday's match with a 4–0 record, having only allowed one goal through the first four matches. The Vikings moved to 4–0 when they defeated Webster with the help of two second half strikes, 2–0. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 5 p.m. 

LAST TIME AGAINST THE VIKINGS 

The all time record between these two sides is close with Loras narrowly owning the edge with a record of 10–9–1. The most recent contest came last year when the teams matched up in the Rock Bowl with the Duhawks prevailing for the 3–2 win. On that day, Loras was paced by the play of Danielle Vujovic who scored two goals with her second one coming in the 104th minute, lifting Loras to victory. 

VIKINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR 

Anna Frank and Hannah Lohmeier have shined for the Vikings early in 2016. Both players are tied for first on the team in points with four by way of two goals for each player. Lohmeier's first goal was crucial, coming on a penalty in her team's season opener, which turned out to be the game-winner. The Vikings goalkeeper, Bailey Bradford, has had a strong start to her season by recording 10 saves and posting a save percentage of .909. 

CIRCA 2010

With Loras winning their first four matches, soccer fans will be reminded of the 2010 season in which the Duhawks opened with six consecutive victories. In a late September match against Augustana, Loras suffered their one and only defeat of the year, advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 and finishing 22–1–1. 

SIEBELS LOCKED IN

Senior Maria Siebels has opened her senior campaign in impressive fashion, posting three clean sheets in her first four matches. The St. Peter, Minn. native has taken her opportunity in goal and run with it, recording 26 saves and a .963 save percentage. Her lone goal against came via penalty in the 90th minute against St. Scholastica. Prior to that goal, Siebels and the Duhawks maintained a shutout streak of 378:15. Siebels is tied for the conference lead in goals against average at 0.23 and ranks second in save percentage.

WRIGHT ANCHORING THE BACKLINE

Junior Sydney Wright has been a defensive force for the Loras women's soccer team, shutting down opposing top players and preventing scoring opportunities from developing all over the pitch. The Rockford, Ill. native has been a played a significant role in the Duhawks recording three shutouts through their first four games of the 2016 season. Along with junior Alexis O'Neill and seniors Hanna Burgmeier and Maria Siebels in goal, the strength of the backline for Loras will continue to cause frustration for opponents and success for the Duhawks. 

DUHAWKS SHOWING A BALANCED OFFENSIVE ATTACK

Junior Riley O'Neill's free kick goal on Sunday's match against St. Scholastica was the Duhawks sixth goal of the season and sixth different goal scorer. Riley O'Neill's goal was the only goal by a Duhawk midfielder through four games, while juniors Lauren Bolnius and Maura Walsh recorded two scores for the Loras forwards. Surprisingly enough, the Loras defense is responsible for most of the goals this season, three in total, from juniors Megan Brant, Mackenzie Anderson, and Sydney Wright, whose tally got the scoring started on Sunday against St. Scholastica.

MAKING THE SHOTS COUNT

Even with the 4–0–0 record, Loras hasn't dominated the stat sheet in most of its games this season. In total, opponents are registering 14.3 shots per game to the Duhawks' 9.0. Of Loras' 36 total shots, 18 have been on target. In the second half of games this season, Loras' opponents have registered 31 of its 57 shots, while the Duhawks have been limited to 14 shots. 

BRANT RETURNS FROM INJURY

After multiple surgeries during her collegiate career, junior Megan Brant has shown her strength early in the 2016 season. Brant has started in all four matches this season, teaming up with junior Riley O'Neill to provide stability in the midfield. Against Wheaton, Brant posted a career day, scoring her first collegiate goal and later added an assist on junior Maura Walsh's strike.

AROUND THE IOWA CONFERENCE

Loras remains the lone blemish-free team in the Iowa Conference at 4–0–0. Through its first four contests, Wartburg stands at 3–0–1, which includes a win over Saint Benedict. The Knights opened the year with a scoreless draw against Macalester and since have outscored their opponents 6–1. Luther opened with a 2–1 win over Saint Mary's and last played on Saturday, which featured a 1–1 draw against Saint Benedict.