Kayla Niner
Published: November 19, 2008

DUBUQUE- The Loras Men are back in the sweet 16 this year, but with a new confidence.

Coach Rothert says, “we have experience. We have been there before, and many teams in our group haven’t been to this point before, so we may not be as nervous as they are, and we get to play at home, so the advantages are on our side hopefully.”

The team made it to the final four last year but lost to Middlebury Vermont.

Student Assistant Coach, Luke Schweitzer says, “We’re still working hard, and getting back to going to the final 4 to build upon last year’s season, it’s what we have been working for all year and now it’s go time.”

Exciting news for the Duhawks, is that they play at the Rock Bowl on Saturday!

Schweitzer says, “We wouldn’t want it anywhere else, there is such a great atmosphere at the rock bowl and home crowd and playing on our home turf and we take a lot of pride in winning at home.”

Coach Rothert agrees that playing at home is an advantage, but they still have some things to work on.

Rothert says, “You know were just as excited to get things going I know the guys are anxious and wish it was tomorrow, but at the same time we have some things to work on between now and then to get things ready.”

The team only has two more days of practice before Saturday, where they take on Augsburg at 7:30.

Rothert says, “It’s going to be a fun night and every team at this level can battle and whoever is playing their best soccer that night is going to get to the final four so hopefully we can get a big crowd out there.”

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