Nov. 2, 2022 – No. 15/11 Loras College women's soccer is one step closer to defending its American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Tournament crown after the Duhawks breezed past the Luther College Norse in Wednesday night's semifinal round match.

The Duhawks (15-0-3) still have not surrendered a goal to an A-R-C team this season after a 5-0 shutout of the Norse (8-8-4) sends them on to the tournament championship game. Top-seeded Loras will host third-seeded Simpson College, who beat second-seeded Wartburg College 2-1 on Wednesday, in the tournament championship game on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The most trusted Duhawk scoring connection tallied both first-half goals in the victory over Luther as seniors Ryleigh O'Brien and Payton McDonnell gave Loras a 2-0 lead after the first 45 minutes of play.

In the 12^th minute, McDonnell sent a corner kick pass to the front of the net as O'Brien finished the header chance to make it 1-0 early. The duo struck again in the 40^th minute as O'Brien beat the Norse keeper and snuck a ground ball shot inside the far post. McDonnell garnered the assist as the two sent Loras into half with a comfortable advantage.

Loras padded its lead less than one minute into the second half as a loose ball found senior forward Abby Eriksen near the top of the box. Eriksen settled it and fired a shot inside the left post to boost the lead to 3-0.

McDonnell made it 4-0 in the 58^th minute as she cashed in on a penalty kick chance that was set up by a Norse foul on sophomore defender Reagan Lindsay. The Duhawks added one more to the tally in the 80^th minute as McDonnell earned her third assist on another corner kick play.

Eriksen's original shot was saved by the Luther goalkeeper, but the rebound came right back to her for an easy putback that sent Loras on to a 5-0 win that secured the Duhawks their eighth straight shutout. The win also marked win No. 100 for head coach Matt Pucci. 

Loras and Simpson will battle for the A-R-C Tournament Championship at the Rock Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 5. Official start time for that match is still to be announced.