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

Crystal Klein
Published: October 22, 2008

DUBUQUE- After going undefeated last year, the Loras Men’s Soccer team has realized that it is going to be a tougher season then they had thought.

After losing to St. Thomas last weekend the men are trying to look past it and move on.

“We’re positive and fighting through that and realizing that it’s going to be hard to go undefeated again and you know the St. Thomas one really hit home a little bit more.” said Loras coach Dan Rothert.

After their upset loss they got together and understood the real reason they are at Loras to play soccer.

“We had some big team meetings and kind of discussed things with some individuals and got back to just having fun and taking it one game at a time. I think that was a really important part.” said Rothert.

With the opponents sitting back making it tougher for the Duhawks to score; they have to find other ways to win the game.

“We have to be patient and look for ways to score and not be frustrated with each other if it’s not going our way right away, those types of things are important.” said coach Rothert.

Overall Rothert is happy with where the men are at in the season and hopefully they will continue on and reach their goal of making it to the NCAA tournament.

Crystal Klein can be reached at Crystal.Klein@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