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March 28, 2019
The Lorian
Struggling to finish by JON QUINN sports editor
The women’s lacrosse team was all over this past week, just falling short both at home and on the road. Last Wednesday, March 20, the team took on Wartburg College here in the Rock Bowl but fell short 13-18. The team also took on the Monmouth Scots on Saturday, March 23, and Hamline on Monday, March 25. “For all three games we’ve come out strong in the first half, but we just haven’t been able to execute as well in the second half,” said senior midfielder Renata Veljacic. “It’s something we’re still working on as the season goes on.” The Wartburg Knights were able to be slightly more efficient than the Duhawks with the total shots taken between each team being close Wartburg 35, and Loras 32. However, Loras was able to force a few more turnovers than they gave. Junior Mid-fielder Olivia Flynn tallied six goals on 10 shots and also added a team-best of five ground balls. On March 23, the team took on Monmouth College who started out strong with a goal less than two minutes in. It didn’t take long for freshman midfielder Clare Brunn to get her own goal less than two minutes later. The Scots went on a small run of three goals until sophomore Katlynne Wolf found the net. Loras was able to battle back and cut the deficit to one at a 6-5 with 10 minutes left in the first half. Both teams continued to battle, but Monmouth was able to execute a
few more goals extending their lead to 11-7 at the end of the first half. During the match, Wolf set a new career-high with four assists while Brunn continues to thrive in the collegiate game, running her season goal total to 15. The undefeated Hamline Pipers were a force to be reckoned with as the Duhawks came out strong, leveling the score within two minutes of game play. Hamline found a momentum wave that earned them three goals until Veljacic converts on the free position shot. Flynn was then able to score a third goal, cutting the Hamline Pipers lead to one. It seemed that the game could shift at any moment. It finally did in favor of the Pipers who went on a seven-goal run to close the first half 11-3. The Duhawks tried to gather some momentum with a goal from freshman attacker Jacqueline Condon with 10 minutes left in the second half. The Pipers ultimate took control and finished the game 19-4. “I think we definitely saw the team that we have been practicing to be in the first half,” said Veljacic. “It was a tough game playing down, but we fought hard for ground balls and we keep it a close game for as long as we could.” The team’s next game is this Saturday, March 30, at the University of Northwestern in Saint Paul, Minnesota at 4 p.m. Be sure to check duhawks.com for live updates of the game.com for live updates of the game.
S ports
Splitting with seniors by MADISON DOUBEK sports writer
This past weekend, the softball team held its home opener, which doubled as its “senior day.” The Duhawks took on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, who advanced to the Regional Tournament last year. The Titans arrived in Dubuque with a record of 4-1, and were excited to play their first games on dirt. The Duhawks matched that intensity and excitement level. Both teams showed up to the field ready to take two wins, which made for a great matchup. “As a senior, the moment I stepped onto Faber Clarke I instantly knew not only was choosing Loras one of the best decisions of my life, but I knew my fellow teammates were prepared to commit to dominating the day for us five seniors. I felt as if the team was ready to battle while at the same time being our goofy, crazy selves as a celebration of the memories we have had together thus far and will continue to have. Through decorations, the smiles, the laughter, I knew it was going to be a great day of Duhawk softball,” says senior pitcher Bayley Monroe. A great day of Duhawk softball it was, with Faber Clarke packed with purple. The first game was a nail bitter for the entirety of the seven innings. Both teams showcased their tough defense, and their abilities to string together hits on the offensive
photo courtesy LORAS COLLEGE ATHLETICS Senior utility play Ashley Lentine makes her way through her team during “senior day.” The team has six seniors.
side. The Duhawks took the first game win with a home run from senior Ashley Lentine in the bottom of the sixth. On the defensive end, junior pitcher Kyleigh Becker was able to hold the Titans to only 3 hits with the help of the fielders behind her. This gave the Duhawks a 2-1 victory over the Titans. The second game the Titans jumped on the Duhawks early, scoring one run in top of the first. They were not able to silence the Titan offense as they did in the first game, allowing 14 hits. The Duhawks never gave up though and responded throughout the game. Lentine and senior Shannon Coyle also showed up to the plate for the Duhawk offense both going 2 for 3 on the game. In the end, the Duhawks could not score enough and fell to the Titans, 10-7. This weekend they start their
conference season in Lincoln, Nebraska, hoping to walk away with two wins. Sophomore outfielder Jade Besler says, “We’re all really excited and have been working hard to be able to compete in one of the hardest conferences in DIII. We have that championship mindset, and are eager to reach our full potential within conference while playing some of the best teams.” The American Rivers Conference is one of the toughest conferences in Division 3 softball, but the Loras College Softball Team welcomes the competition with open arms. The te am is cha l lenge d throughout conference play and they definitely showcase what they have been working hard for all year. The end goal of the season is to win the first ARC softball championship and all their hard work will start to pay off on Saturday.
Reaching for respect Men’s volleyball teams sweeps No. 8-ranked team
photo by JON QUINN Junior mid-fielder Olivia Flynn (right) works her way down the field after scooping a ground ball. Flynn and her teammates had to play the entirety of the game because Loras had just 12 players.
by JON QUINN sports editor
The men’s volleyball team came out this past weekend on a mission. The team was on the road to Naperville, Ill., to take on No. 8 North Central College this past Friday, March 22. Then on Saturday, March 23, the team traveled north over the border into Wisconsin to take on No. 1 Carthage college in Kenosha. The Duhawks remember the five-set win against North Central last year in the conference tournament, upsetting the first seed. The Duhawks did it again in conference-play upsetting the No. 8 team in the nation with a sweep. “This weekend went well for us even though we did ultimately end up losing to Carthage,” said sophomore right-side hitter Grant Ooms. “It went well because of the giant win over North Central on Friday which sent a statement to teams in the Midwest that we are challenging them.” Ooms lead the Duhawks with 14 kills in the three-set-match while adding one of the 8 blocks on the night. Junior middle blocker Ian Walsh tallied four blocks and five kills that influenced North Central’s -.150 attack percentage. However, the Duhawks offense seemed unstoppable firing off a .478 attacking percentage in only three sets of volleyball. Sophomore setter/rightside hitter/defensive-specialist Patrick Hollander played a clean game with 35 assists and no errors. “I think this was a good weekend for our team in general even though we didn’t get the results we wanted for the Carthage game,” said Hollander. “Both North Central and Carthage are top teams in the nation and to beat North Central in three and play a tight match against Carthage proved to us that we can compete against any team. In doing so, I feel that the team is coming together
photo courtesy LORAS COLLEGE ATHLETICS Loras celebrates a point scored during a match in the AWC. Sophomore middle hitter Andres Martinez (left) is expected to return this week from back injury.
and playing with a new energy and confidence.” The Duhawks tried to carry this momentum into Kenosha, Wisconsin against No. 1 Carthage College. However, the start of the first set was a bit of a scare with the Carthage Redman going on a 5-0 run. Loras was able to answer back and level the score again at nine. The two teams were evenly matched before then. Loras and Carthage both battled playing great volleyball. Each team siding out after the next. Ooms led the Duhawks again finishing with a season high of 18 kills and 18.5 points. Sophomore outside hitter Mihajlo Gomez tied his season high of 16 kills. Gomez also tallied two aces and three blocks. “I thought we played well both matches and we had the results to show for it on Friday against North Central,” said Gomez. “We had the opportunity to win sets against Carthage, just couldn’t finish late in the sets but we had control for most of the game. Everyone stepped up and we played well.” The team will be traveling today, March 28, to Augustana University for a conference game starting at 7 p.m. which will also determine where the Duhawks will finish in post season. Be sure to check duhawks.com for updates and a live feed for the score.
