DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque men's soccer team (7-0, 11-3-1) was in action on Wednesday night in a key match-up in NCAA Division III against the Luther College Norse who also came into the game with an undefeated record in conference play. A victory on Oyen Field helped clinch the third conference championship all-time for the Spartans program, with the last coming April 25, 2021, during the 2020 altered fall-to-spring season. The program's first title came in 2010 when they shared with Loras and Wartburg.
Tonight's victory earned UD the top seed and a bye in the six-team conference tournament which starts Saturday, October 30. The team's first tournament game will be a semifinal match Wednesday, November 3 against an opponent to be determined. The Spartans close out regular season conference play Saturday, October 23 at Central College at 2:30 p.m. in Pella, Iowa.
In the first half, the Spartans would have numerous opportunities to find the back of the net, but came up unsuccessful for most of the first half. In the 38
th minute of action, UD struck first as
Joel Skog-Johansson stole a pass from the Norse and took a successful shot past the goalie to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. The Spartans would take the lead into the halftime break.
In the second half, it was much of the same as the Spartans would have their chances to score. Shots would hit off the crossbar and side bars, but just could not find the back of the net. In the 84
th minute,
Eloi Niyibizi would find a gap to attack and find a streaking
Joel Skog-Johansson who would strike the ball into the net for the second time tonight to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead. The Norse were unable to find any offense late as the Spartans would rush the field as they clinched the American Rivers Conference regular season championship with the 2-0 victory.
Wartburg who had the only chance to share the title with the Spartans, lost to Loras tonight. Therefore, the Spartans claim the regular season crown alone at the top. UD will then get a much needed rest with a first-round bye in the A-R-C tournament. They will host the semifinal matchup at Oyen Field and the opponent has yet to be determined.
Current A-R-C Standings:
1. UD - 21 pts. (7-0 in A-R-C) - at Central 10/23
2. Luther - 14 pts. (4-1-2 in A-R-C) -host Wartburg 10/26
3. Wartburg - 12 pts. (4-2 in A-R-C) - at NWU 10/23, at Luther 10/26
4. Loras - 10 pts. (3-2-1 in A-R-C) - host BVU 10/23, host Coe 10/26
5. Simpson - 10 pts. (3-2-1 in A-R-C) - at Coe 10/23, host NWU 10/26
6. NWU - 5 pts. (1-3-2 in A-R-C) - host Wartburg 10/23, at Simpson 10/26
7. Central - 4 pt. (1-4-1 in A-R-C) - host UD 10/23, host BVU 10/26
8. Coe - 2 pts. (0-4-2 in A-R-C) -, host Simpson 10/23, at Loras 10/26
9. BVU - 1 pt. (0-5-1 in A-R-C) - at Loras 10/23, at Central 10/26
