DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque men's soccer team hosted their cross-town rival Loras College Duhawks at Oyen Field in the American Rivers Conference tournament championship game on Saturday afternoon. It has been six years since the Spartans were last in the A-R-C championship game in which they played the Duhawks where the Spartans would lose a close match 1-0. The Spartans have never won an A-R-C tournament championship in the school's history and they were looking to add a tournament championship trophy to their already stellar season.

Under ideal conditions in early November, the Duhawks wasted little time in the first half as it only took them less than four minutes to find the back of the net to give them an early 1-0 lead. The Spartans struggled to get any offensive momentum going in the first half as they were only able to get three shots off and one on goal. Loras managed to get 10 shots off with seven being on goal. Loras used a strong southerly wind to their advantage in the opening 45 minutes of play and sent the ball long to frustrate the Spartans offense.

In the second half, Loras looked to hold their 1-0 lead, whereas the Spartans needed to get more opportunities in their attacking third. The Spartans had their opportunities throughout the second half, but could not find the back of the net against the stingy Duhawk defense. The Duhawks would hold on in a close game 1-0 to win become the 2021 American Rivers Conference champions. In the loss, the Spartans had 10 total shots (six on goal). The Spartans added nine corner kicks. Christoffer Rastock had six saves in the loss while allowing the lone goal.

The Spartans will wait to see if they receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, November 8. All-Conference nominations will be announced next week.

Click here to watch Monday's NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Selection Show.

The 2021 DIII men's soccer selection show is Monday, Nov. 8 at 1:30 p.m. ET. The selections will mark the DIII men's soccer championship's return after getting canceled in 2020. After the show, you can find this year's complete field and official bracket right here on NCAA.com.