DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras men's soccer team hosted Albion for a Sunday matinee inside the Rock Bowl. Senior
Alex Bradley provided the offense in the early goings, netting a pair of goals in 23 seconds. Second-half strikes from seniors
Kyler Olson and
Calvin Miller sealed the win, helping the Duhawk improve to 2–0–0 on the season.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
FIRST HALF
- Loras started out of the gates a little slow, but then quickly got into their swarm style of play and forced multiple turnovers and in turn created many offensive chances. In the third minute, sophomore Ryan Ross collected a pass inside the 18 but had his shot blocked and go out for a throw in near the corner flag.
- Senior Alex Bradley showed his speed early in the game getting on the scoreboard twice in the matter of 23 seconds. His first goal came when junior Michael Perhats won a 50-50 ball out of the air and played it to junior Spencer Moore, who delivered the ball over the top where Bradley then ran onto the loose ball and flicked his shot over the keeper to the far post.
- After the restart, junior Ike Bruns cleared the ball forward and after a poor touch from the Albion defender, Bradley once again pounced on the bouncing ball and flipped it over the keeper for the brace.
- Albion showed their speed and physicality in transition with Alejandro Ibanez dribbling up the near sideline making his way to the middle of the field where he ripped the Brits first shot on goal, directly at junior goalkeeper Jacob Peterson.
- The Duhawks nearly increased their lead to three when junior Eddie Gonzalez struck a shot to the near post, but Justin Kraft kept his team's deficit at two, moving to his right to make the save.
SECOND HALF
- Freshman Mark Histed opened the second half with a scoring chance following a deep throw-in from senior Calvin Miller. After Histed's shot was blocked, Moore picked up the loose ball and hit a low, driven shot towards goal, but was denied by Kraft.
- Loras increased their lead to three when senior Kyler Olson was fouled inside the 18 after beating his mark and opening a passing lane. The Roscoe, Ill. native stepped to the penalty spot and struck his second goal of the year in the 48th minute.
- Albion's lone score of the evening came when a failed clearance from Loras inside their own 18 left a ball loose at the top of the box. The Britons' Kyle Bourlier sent a left-footed shot past an outstretched Peterson, cutting the Duhawk lead to 3–1.
- The Purple & Gold maintained high pressure, resulting in a corner kick, one of seven on the day in the 57th minute. Moore's delivery found the head of Miller on the six, whose shot went top corner for his first of the year.
- Freshman Liam O'Connell nearly had the first goal of his collegiate career when he took a pass from sophomore Ian Lenke inside the Albion 18 on the far side. O'Connell settled the hard pass and sent his shot across to the far post. O'Connell began to celebrate, thinking he had made it 5–1 as did five of his teammates. No signal was given from the center official and play continued.
- Two minutes later, O'Connell returned to the scene of the crime, this time having his shot carom off the crossbar.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Alex Bradley I The forward made his presence felt from the opening kickoff putting an immense amount of pressure on Albion's back line. This led to three scoring chances for him which he capitalized on twice, sparking today's offense and giving his team the comfortable lead in the opening minutes. Bradley now has three goals in his first two games.
UP NEXT
The Duhawks will have the week off, but then will travel up to Duluth, Minn. to take on St. Scholastica and St. Norbert in the Advantage Emblem Cup. Loras will face against St. Scholastica on Saturday with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. The Saints have won the UMAC six consecutive seasons, last meeting the Duhawks in 2013 and suffering a 2–1 defeat in the season-opener.
