Bears Travel to Dubuque, Iowa, to Battle No. 4 Loras College

BOX

Dubuque, Iowa., October 25, 2009 – The Washington University in St. Louis men’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision at No. 4 Loras College on Sunday, Oct. 25, in Dubuque, Iowa. The loss was the third-straight for Washington University, all by a 1-0 final margin.

Loras’ Matt Splittgerber scored the only goal of the game in the 70th minute, taking a pass from Santiago Mejia as he netted the game-winner.

Washington U. controlled action through the first 45 minutes of play, outshooting the Duhawks 11-4 in the first half, and putting six of those shots on goal. The Bears’ offensive pressure also resulted in five corner kick attempts in the first period compared to just two for Loras, but the fourth-ranked Duhawks survived the early pressure from Washington U. thanks to six first-half saves from goalkeeper Adam Kelsch, entering the intermission with a 0-0 tie.

The teams played the second half fairly evenly, but the Bears were unable to get any shots on net. Washington U. did have several strong scoring chances late in the game, with two-straight corner kick opportunities coming with fewer than three minutes to play in the game. Junior Cody Costakis’ first corner-kick attempt was successfully defending by Loras, resulting in another WU opportunity, and Costakis’ second pass found junior Harry Beddo in the box, but Beddo’s header sailed high and left of the net.

Washington U. senior goalkeeper John Smelcer finished the game with four saves in 90 minutes, and sophomore Pat McLean and senior Nat Zenner each tallied two shots on goal for the Bears.

Washington University ends the season with three-straight road contests against University Athletic Association foes. The Bears return to action on Friday, Oct. 30, when they face Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., at 5 p.m. (ET).