DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque men's soccer team traveled across town Tuesday to face crosstown rival Loras College, with the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) regular-season championship on the line. After securing at least a share of the title in its previous game, the Spartans knew a win or a draw would crown them outright champions. Determined to cap off a fantastic season without sharing the crown, UD battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw behind another goal from conference-leading scorer Jameson Carl, securing the outright A-R-C championship and keeping the Spartans unbeaten in conference play.
In a rivalry game expected to be a battle, the Spartans got off to a nervous start. The Duhawks applied heavy pressure early, and in the 10th minute, Loras found the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead. The Spartans faced the challenge of finding a response and working their way back into the game. UD remained composed, sticking to the same approach that had carried the team throughout the season: staying calm, trusting its strengths, and believing the breakthrough would come. The Spartans created opportunities to equalize, with the best chance of the first half falling to Ryan Tapper. His attempt was cleared off the goal line with the goalkeeper already beaten, keeping Loras in front. Despite the opportunity, UD entered halftime trailing 1-0.
The second half remained competitive, with both teams trading possession and battling through physical challenges. As the half progressed, however, the Spartans found more energy and began to grow into the game, waiting for the opportunity to level the score. That moment arrived at 63:41. Ryder Syverson launched a long ball from the back line, sending Jameson Carl into a footrace with a Loras defender. Carl used his strength to hold off the defender, created space for the shot, and buried the equalizer for his 11th goal of the season and seventh in conference play. With the score level at 1-1, the Spartans were on course to claim the American Rivers Conference championship outright. UD's defense stood firm under pressure from the Duhawks, with goalkeeper Riley Johnson making four saves to keep Loras off the scoreboard for the remainder of the match. The final whistle confirmed the 1-1 draw and secured the outright conference title for the Spartans.
Carl once again led the way Spartans offensively, scoring UD's lone goal of the night. Syverson recorded the assist on the equalizer, while Johnson finished with four saves in goal to help preserve the draw and secure the championship.
A-R-C Champions
With the draw, the Spartans captured the American Rivers Conference regular-season championship for the first time since 2021, when UD also went unbeaten in conference play. The Spartans finished the regular season with a 10-4-3 overall record and a 6-0-1 mark in conference play. The title marks the fourth regular-season conference championship in program history for UD men's soccer.
As the No. 1 seed, the Spartans will receive a first-round bye in the ARC Tournament and will host their semifinal matchup at Oyen Field, earning home-field advantage as they continue their postseason run.
Up Next
With a first-round bye in the American Rivers Conference Tournament, the Spartans will return to action on Wednesday, November 4, giving them additional time to prepare for their next opponent. As the No. 1 seed, UD will face the lowest remaining seed advancing from the first round.
The first-round matchups feature No. 5 Simpson College at No. 4 Nebraska Wesleyan University and No. 6 Central College at No. 3 Loras College. Kickoff time is still to be announced. With the conference championship secured, UD will look to carry its momentum into the postseason and continue its push toward the A-R-C Tournament title.
