DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Knights went on the road and defeated Loras College 2-0 in the Rock Bowl to open American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) play on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Wartburg is now 5-2-3 overall (1-0, A-R-C) and Loras moves to 7-3 overall (0-1, A-R-C).
Diego Sanchez began the scoring in the sixth minute with an assist from
Carson Kay before
Alima Mmunga added another goal in the 34
th minute with an assist from
Lwings Kabula to give the Knights a 2-0 lead. Wartburg's defense recorded the shutout despite being outshot 21-5 in total shots, with Loras taking 15 shots in the first half.
How It Happened
First Half
- After Loras sent two early shots wide, Sanchez put the Knights ahead 1-0 at 5:56 off an assist from Kay.
-
Caleb Cross made a save on Liam Bennett at 12:29, and the half tightened through a stretch of five fouls between 14:02 and 23:59.
- Loras generated five shots and two corner kicks from 28:15 to 32:32, but the Orange and Black held the lead before Mmunga scored at 33:44 from Kabula to make it 2-0.
- Cross added another save at 34:12, and the Knights carried the 2-0 lead into halftime despite late Loras pressure.
Second Half
- Loras put together shots by Zack Liddell and Townes Robertson and corners at 54:40 and 58:50, while the Knights countered with
Drew DeSmidt's shot off the top woodwork at 60:19 and a corner at 61:04.
- The Orange and Black protected the 2-0 lead through another Loras push from 70:17 to 75:06, including a corner, a Townes Robertson shot, a Sam Keen shot saved by Cross and another corner.
- Kabula put shots on frame at 81:19 and 84:05, with both saved by Alexander Drexler, before Cross stopped Ernesto Silva's attempt at 87:14 to help the Knights finish off the 2-0 win.
Top Performers
Diego Sanchez
- one goal
- game-winning goal
Caleb Cross
- four saves
- one shutout
Alima Mmunga
- one goal
- one shot on goal
Lwings Kabula
- one assist
- two shots on goal
Carson Kay
- one assist
Notes
- Wartburg extends its winning streak to four games
- The Knights have now won three-straight meetings and four of the last five over Loras
- Following the Knights' win, the all-time series is now 35-16-3, still in favor of Loras
- Third goal of the season for Sanchez and the fourth of his career
- Fifth goal of the season for Mmunga and the 14th of his career
- Third assist of the season for Kay and the fourth of his career
- Fourth assist of the season for Kabula and the seventh of his career
- Second career game-winning goal for Sanchez
- The Knights put four out of five total shot attempts on target, while Loras had four shots on target with 21 attempts
- Cross and the Knights' defense have now recorded three-straight shutouts
- Cross now has three shutouts and 17 saves through four starts at goalkeeper this season
Up Next
Up next, the Knights host Simpson College on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 2:30 p.m. at Salzwedel Field for Senior Day and Alumni Day in Waverly, Iowa.
