Last Friday the men’s soccer team battled the heat, and visiting Pacific Lutheran College in their season opener. The Warhawks kept it tight and managed to force the game into overtime, but wound up losing 2-1.

In the second game, the ‘Hawks couldn’t get any offense going and lost 2-0 to Whitworth University.

The `Hawks will host Loras College (1-1) at 7:30 p.m. tonight for their third game of the season.

This game will be the second of two games played at Fiskum Field that night for the men’s and women’s soccer teams Welcome Back Night.

This year’s Welcome Back Night will also feature the inaugural competition for the “Hawk Cup.”

The ‘Hawks and the Duhawks will battle it out for the traveling trophy to be given to the winner each year.

Coach Henschel said the physically imposing Duhawks could provide a considerable challenge for the (0-2) `Hawks.

“Loras plays an imposing, physical style and a team like that could give us a tough game if we are not prepared,” Henschel said. “It’s really going to be up to the players to dig deep and just try to get better each day.”

In Friday’s first game, the Lutes scored first at the 18 minute mark, and the `Hawks responded at the 26 minute mark with a goal from Junior Logan Fye who was assisted by sophomore Bob Shone.

Neither team scored for the remainder of regulation, but less than a minute into overtime the Lutes put one into the back of the `Hawks net for the win.

The `Hawks had more shots on goal attempted than the Lutes, 16-14, but still came up short.

In the second game of the season against Whitworth University, Whitworth scored goals at the 15 and 48 minute marks to beat the `Hawks 2-0.

The `Hawks again managed to out-shoot their opponent, 9-8, but the Whitworth goalkeeper preserved the shutout.

“We lacked execution in some areas,” coach Greg Henschel said. “There were a few passes we failed to connect and our defense didn’t shut the other teams down. The chemistry will come.”

“I really think we’re just establishing our identity right now, but I didn’t put together a top ten strength of schedule for our team to walk away with moral victories. We want to win.”