As the ball left Santiago Mejia’s foot late in the second half he knew he gave Thomas Jennings the perfect birthday present as he watched his corner float into the box and glide off Jennings’ head for the score.

Thomas Jennings head in a goal. His first on the season.

Jennings’ goal gave Loras a 2-0 lead and solidified their place in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament where they will face off at the Rock Bowl against No. 5 Dominican (IL), a team they beat in the second round of the tournament last year.

“I knew Jennings was going to make that run and as soon as I saw it get over the top of the defender I knew it was going in,” said Mejia. “I was so happy for him.”

Loras’ second goal wasn’t the only special performance on the night. Earlier in the half Miguel Bonilla tapped in a rebound shot off a Mejia corner that would give him the all-time Loras scoring record, breaking Brad Johnson’s old record of 44 goals.

“It feels amazing,” said Bonilla. “I am so proud of all my teammates and all the seniors for helping our team get to this point.”

The Duhawks came into Sunday night’s match after defeating Webster 3-1 in the first round the night before, a game that saw most of Loras’ starters sitting in the second half.

Photos from Sunday’s match: Photo Gallery

Early in the first half of the Macalester game both teams controlled the ball at midfield, but Loras came out firing in the second with a balanced attack across the midfield that led to two scores off of Mejia’s services from the corner.

The win marks Loras’ third straight trip to the Sweet 16, but after two loses in the Final Four the past two seasons, this year’s group of 12 seniors has a different plan in mind.

“Losing in the Final Four is the worst feeling I have ever had in my life and this year it has to be different,” said Mejia. “If we play our game and trust each other I think things are going to go our way.”

The team has suffered a number of key injuries this season, but players continue to step into starting roles to keep the season alive.

Loras celebrating their second round victory.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries but people are going to give everything they have to get to the national championship,” said Jennings. “It’s going to come.”

When Loras takes the field on Saturday night against Dominican it will be the second year in a row they have played on their home field in late November a feat that has the Duhawks eyeing a national championship.

As Mejia and his senior teammates left the field they had one message “this year it has to be different.”

“The journey isn’t over yet.”