Dominican University’s Jeff Atkins (Naperville, Ill.) was issued a red card in the 22^nd minute and the Loras College Duhawks netted the eventual game-winner in the 23^rd minute as Loras upended the Stars 2-0 in men’s soccer action in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday afternoon.

Atkins received the straight red card after colliding with a Loras player while challenging for a 50/50 ball. Then just 1:30 later, the Duhawks found the back of the Stars’ goal to take a 1-0 lead in the first half.

The Stars nearly netted an equalizer in the 26^th minute as Edwin Lagunas (Waukegan, Ill.) chipped a ball over the Duhawks’ goalkeeper that was headed into the goal, but a Loras defender leaped and got his head on the ball and redirected it just enough to keep the Duhawks out in front.

Dominican continued to press forward, ripping three shots over the next two minutes but one attempt was blocked and two sailed wide.

The score remained 1-0 into the 88^th minute when Loras added an insurance goal, becoming the first opponent to score two goals on the Stars all season.

With the Stars playing much of the second half with just two defenders, the Duhawks outshot the Stars 12-7 in the match, taking nine shots in the second half and putting six shots on frame compared to just one shot on goal for Dominican.

The Stars, now 15-1-1, will return to the pitch on Tuesday, looking to clinch the program’s fifth straight Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) championship as they take on the Rockford College Regents. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m. on Dominican’s West Campus Field.