WAVERLY, Iowa -- Wartburg College handed the Nebraska Wesleyan men's soccer team their first loss of the season on Sunday afternoon as the Knights defeated the Prairie Wolves 2-0 in Waverly, Iowa.

NWU finishes the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 6-1 record.  Wartburg, one of the top teams in the IIAC conference, moves to 4-2-1 on the year.

The Prairie Wolves faced an attacking team as all afternoon as the Knights attempted 24 total shots on the day, while NWU had only eight.

"The guys are frustrated because we could have taken a two goal lead very early, " Coach Flintham said. "We were wasteful and they capitalized on some mental errors. After that we were chasing the game and most of their chances came late when we opened up."

Wartburg broke the scoreless match late in the first half as Brett LaDoux scored on a rebounded shot with less than three minutes remaining before the break.

They would add the insurance goal midway through the second half as Ben Johnson scored on an open net. 

This was the first game all season that NWU was shutout.  They finished with five shots on goal that were saved by Wartburg goalkeeper Austin Boyke.

"I think this sharpens us… it allows us to refocus going into the conference games and gives us a reminder that we aren't the finished product yet," Flintham added.  "Losing isn't something these guys are used to, so it doesn't feel great, but I think you'll see us grow even stronger because of this."

Nebraska Wesleyan is now ready to begin Great Plains Athletic Conference play when they travel to Briar Cliff University on Sept. 26.