Strom earn elusive win over Dutch

INDIANOLA, Iowa – For Mike Wilson, it was a long time coming.

The fifth-year head men's soccer coach at Simpson had never beaten the Central Dutch on the soccer field – until senior Connor Skultety's free kick found Sandro Tadic at the far-post late in the second overtime Wednesday night, capping off a thrilling 2-1 victory for the Storm at Buxton Stadium.

For Simpson, it marked the first win against arch-rival Central since 2003.

"It couldn't have come at a better time," Wilson said. "We knew we needed a result in a big conference game tonight. We thought we had the job done in regulation, but we gutted it out in the end."

Wilson hoped Matt Winegard's first goal of the season – a rebound shot coming the 69th minute – would be enough for Simpson (5-3-2, 2-1 IIAC).

But Leland Schipper's try from 20 yards out provided the equalizer for the Dutch (5-6, 0-2 IIAC), knotting the contest at 1-1 just over 11 minutes after Winegard's go-ahead effort.

While neither team broke through in the first overtime, Simpson's steady attack did the Dutch in with just over three minutes remaining in the second overtime. For Tadic, it was his second goal of the season and first game-winner, becoming the fifth different Storm player with a game-winner on the year.

"We stayed committed to the plan and remained disciplined in overtime," Wilson said. "This was a great result. The confidence that this gives us reminds us that we are a good enough team that can play with anybody, we just have to keep pushing forward and stay committed to the plan."

Simpson out-shot Central 22-17, including 6-5 in the two overtime periods. Each team tried five corner kicks, with the Storm getting three of its tries in the first overtime.

Senior goalkeeper Josh Youngman made four saves for the Storm, while Jonathan Glassman had nine for the Dutch.

Simpson's next test takes place in Decorah on Saturday, when the Storm takes on Luther in a 5 p.m. start.