DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - A goal in each half for Mark Histed sent the Loras men's soccer team to victory on Saturday night over Dubuque, moving to 1-0-0 in American Rivers action. Jesse Buffington made four saves in goal for this third clean sheet of the season.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
• It was the Spartans who had the first opportunity to score in the match ff a free kick in the 15th minute … Dubuque's shot was on target, but Jesse Buffington read it all the way and made the first of his four saves
• Loras opened the scoring in the 25th minute on Histed's first of the season off the assist from Ian Lenke on a loose ball scrum inside the penalty area
• The Spartan's best chance of the night came in the 34th minute … Following a corner kick, the ball fell to the feet of a Dubuque forward who struck a shot on target where Buffington was there to make the save
• In the 66th minute, Tigrio Huerta danced around his mark and sent in Ezekiel Kyoore on a chance, but the Spartan goalkeeper had an aggressive read and made the instant save off Kyoore's shot at the corner of the six
• With time dwindling down and Loras holding to the one-goal lead, Histed returned to the spotlight with his second goal of the night in the 81st minute … Chris Alfaro sent a ground pass from the end line to the center of the box, following a dummy by Kevin Kucaba, Histed blasted his shot first time and collected his own rebound before putting it into the back of the net
 
NOTABLES
• Buffington dropped his goals against average to .70
• Histed tallied his second match-winner of his career
• Loras improved to 21-2-0 all-time against Dubuque
• Lenke collected his second career assist and first since Nov. 2, 2016 against Simpson
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME - MARK HISTED
His second career brace provided all the offense Loras needed on Saturday and helped the Duhawks to a win on opening night in the American Rivers Conference
 
UP NEXT
Loras makes a quick appearance in non-conference action on Wednesday with a matchup against Iowa Wesleyan. The Tigers are 2-5-0 this season following a loss to Olivet on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.