DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – Fresh off their 3-0 win at Wisconsin–Whitewater on Friday, the No. 3 Duhawks came home to the Rock Bowl and hosted the Willamette Bearcats. Sophomore Alex Bradley netted the game-winner in the 15' while senior Mike Pizzello added a double late in the day (80', 83'). Senior Sean Elvert posted his second consecutive clean sheet, turning away all three shots he faced.
 
Despite the blazing temperature on the Rock Bowl, the Duhawk swarm was in full swing right from the whistle creating scoring opportunities early in the game. The Duhawks quickly took control of the game putting the Bearcats on their heels. It was clear the Duhawks felt at home in the Rock Bowl as they eased into play quickly.
 
"It was great being back in the Rock Bowl," said Bradley. "It's probably the most fun place I've ever played at. It definitely feels good to be back home because you don't get that same feeling on the road."

Sophomore transfer Matt Brant was a crucial part of the offense in the first half with consistent throw-ins from distance into the box. In the 5^', Brant's throw into the box found the head of junior Bryan Irwin but he was denied by the Bearcat defense.

Senior Johnny Rummelhart was another crucial part of the offense with his unrelenting and speed in the middle. Rummelhart broke through the middle of the field beating three Bearcats to send junior Richard Lenke up the near side into the corner in the 8^'. Lenke's cross into the box just missed the foot of Bradley at the penalty spot.

In the 10', senior Tom Fleugel connected with Lenke up top sending him an arching ball over the Willamette defense. Willamette goalkeeper Braydon Calder came off his line to meet the ball but Lenke was able to flick it over him, just sailing wide of goal.

Both teams displayed a high level of physicality early on, resulting in a number of free kicks. Lenke was the victim of a rough tackle, resulting in a Willamette's Sebastian Mortimer being shown a yellow card in the 13'. On the ensuring free kick, sophomore Jimmy Ralph booted the ball into the penalty area from 40 yards out. After a loose ball in the box, Bradley came up with it and blasted home the winner with his right foot in the 14'.

The Duhawks were strong in the midfield, winning a majority of the 50/50 balls coming off of goal kicks. As a result, Calder compensated by sending his goal kicks short, which then played into Loras' strength as they were able to pressure the backline and slow down their build up. Willamette's lone scoring opportunity in the first half came in the 43' when Christopher Barnes drilled a shot from just outside the penalty box. Barnes' shot flew over the crossbar denying the Bearcats a chance at the scoreboard.

Senior Dillon Olson came off the bench in the 18' and contributed his usual sort, causing problems for the Willamette defense thanks to his execution of the Duhawks' high pressure system. In the 21', junior Mike Gordon joined Dillon Olson on the pitch and aided in the swarm. Gordon brought a great energy to the field that helped the Duhawk offense along and was a part of a number of build ups leading to scoring opportunities.

The Duhawks finished out the first half with the same high pressure they started with. Despite multiple scoring opportunities, they were denied from adding to their lead.

In the 50' Bradley was fouled from 25 yards out which led to a quick-fire free kick from JD Perez. Perez's kick caught Willamette off guard as he sent the ball wide just past the reach of Pizzello's foot at the back post.

Gordon made his presence known again the second half leading the attack after his entry into the game in the 62'. Gordon sent a rocket from just outside the box towards Calder forcing him to leave his feet for a diving save to his right. 

In the 65' Willamette's Alan Hernandez managed to break through the Loras defense finding his way down to the end line to the right of the Duhawks' goal where he crossed the ball in hopes of finding a teammate in the box. Elvert parried the cross away from goal, but it stayed within the six. Alex Shimburg scrambled for the rebound but was denied by a sliding Calvin Miller in the goal mouth.

After a failed clearance that hit Olson's chest resulting a shot over the crossbar, Calder was replaced in the 77' by Julian Juarez. Juarez was immediately tested by the Loras swarm when Bradley maneuvered his way around two Bearcats in the box to launch a ball directly at Juarez's chest in the 78'.

In the 80', senior Tom Fluegel forced a turnover in the midfield after the Bearcats struggled to move the ball up the field off a goal kick. Fluegel connected with Bradley in the middle while Pizzello joined the attack to Bradley's left. Bradley laid the ball off to Pizzello in the box who sent his shot to the far post past Juarez to double Loras' lead.

After falling behind 2-0, the Bearcats' confidence was shaken which, added with the exhaustion they felt from the extreme heat on the Rock Bowl, allowed Pizzello to score again just two minutes later. Brant's long throw into the box went over the head of Mortimer, leaving Pizzello unmarked. Pizzello settled the ball just outside the penalty spot and slipped it past Juarez for his second goal of the game and adding a second insurance goal for the Duhawks.

With the lead in hand and only minutes remaining, Loras was able to extend their bench. Despite some promising chances from players off the bench, the Duhawks finished the game handing the Bearcats the 3-nil loss.

After a tough opening weekend, the Duhawks feel good about their results and are excited about the season.

"I think we are really clicking well together after this weekend," said Pizzello. "We're definitely heading in the right direction. We've started off well with six goals in two games so that's really good for us because scoring has really been our downfall in the past."

Loras travels to Waukesha, Wisconsin on Tuesday for a midweek matchup with Carroll University. The Pioneers opened their season going 1-1 at the Gustavus Adolphus losing to the hosts 3-1 and defeating Concordia College 3-1.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.