Contact: Emily Adlfinger, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970

INDIANOLA, Iowa (Nov. 3, 2021) – Led by two goals from senior Kevin Kucaba and fueled by the energy that comes with playing in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Tournament, the Loras College men's soccer team (12-6-2, 5-2-1 A-R-C) stunned No. 2-seeded Simpson College (7-7-2, 5-2-1 A-R-C) on Wednesday afternoon in a 3-0 upset shutout victory at Buxton Stadium.  

Loras got on the board to start the game after Reed Miklavcic headed it in past the goalkeeper off the throw in by Jared Block in the 21^st minute to give the Duhawks the early lead. The Duhawks kept the momentum going in the 37th minute when Jose Melo picked off the Storm's clearing attempt which was then picked up by Kyler Donovan and sent into the box where Patrick Clancy dished it up and over to Kevin Kucaba who headed it in to put Loras up 2-0. The Storm had a scoring opportunity that went high on their next possession and the Duhawks' defense was able to keep the hosts scoreless heading into the break.

Neither team was able to get anything rolling on offense in the second half until two shots for the Duhawks in the 74th minute by Kucaba and Michael Brandt caused a buzz but the Storm's defense was there to make the stop and keep the Duhawks from extending the lead. Simpson had another opportunity to convert an open cross in the 80th minute but the ball sailed long and the Duhawks took back possession. The Duhawks continued to play tight defense throughout the half and the efforts culminated in a breakaway run for Kucaba off an intercepted pass by the Storm, taking it all the way to the net in the final minute to send Loras to the championship.

Kucaba had five shots and converted both on goal while Block, Clancy and Donovan each added assists. Both teams tallied 12 shots in the game while the Duhawks put six on goal compared to Simpson's three and the Storm struggled to convert on corners, taking six. Connor Fitzpatrick recorded a clean sheet with two saves for his fifth shutout of the season.

Loras awaits the winner of the semifinal matchup of Luther College and the University of Dubuque for the championship on Saturday, Nov. 6. A win for the regular season champion Spartans will set the championship down the street at Dubuque while a win for Luther will send the Norse to the Rock Bowl and give the Duhawks the home field advantage for the finals. Updates to the schedule can be found HERE.