BOXSCORE MINNEAPOLIS -- The No. 24 ranked Augsburg College men's soccer team dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision to No. 4 ranked Loras College at Edor Nelson Field on Friday night in nonconference action in front of more than 500 Auggie fans.

"Every time we play each other it's an incredible game. They are a very good side and battle hard every minute. It was a great environment tonight - the perfect setting for college soccer," stated Augsburg Head Coach Greg Holker.

Loras tallied the first goal of the evening as Pat Langan put home a penalty kick in the 10th minute of action. Both teams battled throughout the remainder of the first half, with Augbsurg claiming a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal, but neither was able to find the net and the score remained 1-0 at the intermission.

The Duhawks tallied their second goal of the night as Brad Joiner scored from Tom Fluegel in the 48th minute. Less than a minute later Augsburg answered with a goal by Josh Sweeney (SR, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS), his second of the year, off an assist by Chad Gilmer (SR, Bloominton, Minn./Jefferson HS).

"I am pleased with our effort and most of our performance," commented coach Holker. "A little detail here and there often decides the contest, and tonight was no different. Their guy was intelligent to stop his run and bring Heaps into him off the ball for the penalty (on the counter attack). Joiner took his moment well and stuck it tight in the corner under some good pressure. We had several chances to score that we let slip by, and that is the difference between the top teams and those that aspire to be."

For the game, Augsburg claimed a 13-9 advantage in shots, a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal, as well as a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.

"I thought Danny Osip was really sharp tonight - he handled a difficult task with poise. Gilmer is a tremendous player and he rose to the occasion tonight. It's too bad he had to leave the game toward the end with an injury," coach Holker stated. "Sherif Soud was solid at left back, and OP played very well in his return from an injury. Overall it was promising."

Augsburg will return to action on Sunday (9/16) at noon as they host UW-Platteville at Edor Nelson Field.

"Now we have to refocus on UW-Platteville for Sunday and continue to move forward. They drew with Macalester tonight and have been getting great results overall. I expect them to be another significant test for us," stated coach Holker.