BELOIT, Wis. – The Loras College men's soccer team continued its strong start to the season Saturday afternoon, using a four-goal first half to defeat Beloit College, 5-1, at Strong Soccer Field.
Loras wasted little time establishing control. Gavin Pienkowski opened the scoring in the seventh minute, finishing a chance set up by Julian Lopez to give the Duhawks an early 1-0 advantage. Zack Liddell doubled the lead less than six minutes later, finding the back of the net in the 13th minute.
The Duhawks continued to pressure the Beloit defense throughout the opening half. Jonathan Ademi converted from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute to make it 3-0 before Pienkowski helped create another goal late in the period. His assist set up Mats Van de Peppel in the 41st minute, sending Loras into halftime with a commanding 4-0 advantage.
Loras picked up where it left off after the break. Charlie Sieg scored in the 58th minute off an assist from Gabriel Porter to extend the advantage to 5-0. Beloit broke through in the 64th minute when Miles Morrow scored the Buccaneers' lone goal of the afternoon, but the Duhawk defense kept the hosts off the board the rest of the way.
Pienkowski led the Loras attack with three points on a goal and an assist, while Liddell, Ademi, Van de Peppel and Sieg each added goals. Lance Grandgeorge finished with a team-high four shots, placing three on goal, while Joseph Sorce put both of his attempts on frame.
The Duhawks controlled the offensive numbers from start to finish, out-shooting Beloit 25-6 and holding a 13-6 advantage in shots on goal. Loras also generated 13 corner kicks while limiting the Buccaneers to two.
Alexander Drexler played the opening 45 minutes in goal, making two saves without allowing a goal to earn the victory. Nathaniel Gerling took over for the second half and made three saves as the Loras goalkeeping tandem combined for five stops.
Up Next: The Duhawks will travel to UW-Whitewater on Sept. 30. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Robert Fiskum Field.
