Chris Lehr can be reached at Christopher.Lehr@loras.edu

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23-0-2. No Losses, not even one. That was the men’s soccer team record last year, and that’s also why Coach Dan Rothert says they have a target on their back this year.

“We’re a top ten team, an elite team in the country, we went to the final four, and we went undefeated and that means everyone has our games circled on their schedule and that’s a big one because everyone is coming after us. We can’t look towards the end of the year; we just have to take it one game at a time,” said Rothert.

Even after losing key players Matt Brumfield, Matt Pucci, and Mike Ricther, coach Rothert is just as confident they’re on the road to another successful season like the one they enjoyed last year. 

“We have some great players and leadership with those guys, but we’ve had some guys step up and that’s part of our program and that’s why we’ve been successful the past few years because we’ve always had guys who have stepped up. I think we’re right on track where we want to be,” commented Rothert on where the Duhawks are as a team this season.

Even though the men are confident from their undefeated season they are still going to have some tough opponents to face this year.

“Wheaton is always a tough match. Last year we tied them. They’re tough every year and they are a really good squad. We’re looking forward to it, but it’s definitely going to be our toughest game,” said Sean Crosby, a veteran Duhawk.

So the Dukawks are looking to improve their near already perfect record, by turning last year’s draw with Wheaton College to a win.

Crystal Klein can be reached at Crystal.Klein@lctv13.com

The Loras volleyball team is setting up to the start of a new season.

They have played in two away tournaments so far and have nearly aced the competition with a record of 6 and 1.

Betsy Neverman, Senior Team Captain, said, “Our strongest points, I would have to say are our communication and our team like unity. We all get along so well so its like on the court you can tell the difference between this year and last.”

In last week’s tournament, they made it to the final round where they lost to Luther, However the team managed to take something away with them.

Neverman said, “We just played Luther and they were so loud; they come together, and its really intimidating actually when you have a really loud team on the court so today in practice; we were really loud all day.”

Another goal the team is working on is involvement of all the players; whether you are on the sideline or on the court.

Head Coach, Teresa Kehe, said “I think that is an over-all goal that we have been working on for the last few years. Its just trying to get every one intense, having everyone buy into the program, as far as a team orientated program, and not worried about me and I, but team.”

The team will take on Luther again, with a chance to start the conference on a good spike.

Kehe said,”But conference play is going to be important. Wednesday night Will be a big step, first night in the AWC, and those kind of things.”

Yes, the Loras volleyball team has moved out of Graber, and will be calling Lillis Court home.

Neverman said, “We’re just trying to show people we’re a new Loras team, and when they walk into the gym, we want them to be like, wow, look at Loras.”

Kayla Niner can be reached at kayla.niner@loras.edu

A cold, rainy, day did not dampen the spirits of the men’s and women’s cross country teams, because this year both teams have high expectations going into the season.

Last year the women came to the brink of a national tournament, and the players are ready to achieve that, this year.

They are coming into the season ranked twentieth in the nation and third in the region.

Mary Bridget Corken, women’s cross country captain, said. “Last year we were six points away from qualifying so its like nothing so I think we’re just really working hard to improve and be our best that we can be and make at the end of the season.”

Head Coach Shultz shares the same aspirations as Corken, “So I expect our women to be competing for the top two in the conference, and a trip to the national championships, which the Loras women have not done in about twelve years.”

The men’s team may come in with less hype.

However,with strong transfers and freshmen,  they are just as determined to make some noise and prove people wrong.

Shultz said, “we just have some new energy this year that I’m excited about, despite losing three of our top seven, we have a team that will finish high er in the conference and higher in the region than any of the teams I’ve had my four years here.”

The men’s team comes into the season embracing their role as a dark horse in the Iowa Conference.

Alex Eischeid, the men’s captain, said, “We’ve got a lot of new faces this year so there’s kinda of a chip on our shoulder we’re going to have.We’re going to have to really come in and make a name for ourselves this year.”

Catch both teams as they race into action this Saturday.

Tim Kelly can be reached at Timothy.Kelly2@loras.edu

Nick Helten can be reached at Nick.Helten@lctv13.com