Simpson drops match to No. 3 Loras

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The schedule-makers saved the best for last. In the final regular season match of the year, No. 3 Loras College visited Buxton Stadium on Saturday.

Loras (17-1-1, 8-0 IIAC) scored twice in a matter of minutes during the first half and handed Simpson its third consecutive loss. Simpson (6-8-3, 3-4-1 IIAC) was able to get on the board once but it couldn't knock off the conference leader.

Freshman Mark Lahart (Newton, Iowa) scored his first goal of the year to get Simpson on the board in the 41st minute. The goal came on an assist from junior Jim Frizzell (Grimes, Iowa) off a quick corner kick.

The goal by Lahart marked only the fourth time an IIAC opponent has scored on the Duhawks.

Reigning league MVP junior Miguel Bonilla scored first for the Rams at the 18:43 mark off an assist from Joshua Kutzke. Less than a minute later, Santiago Mejia was able to steal the ball and put it in the net for his fifth goal of the year. That would prove to be the game-winner.

Simpson was unable to overcome the two quick goals by the Rams. Bonilla added his second goal of the game later in the second half off a deflected save for his conference-leading 15th goal of the year.

Loras took 18 shots and put 11 on goal. Simpson took 11 shots, putting six on goal. Simpson had the slight advantage on corner kicks, taking nine to Cornell's eight.

Simpson goalkeeper Josh Youngman (Sr., Pella, Iowa) saved eight of the 11 shots on goal. The Storm committed 12 fouls during the match, while Loras was whistled for seven.

Simpson enters the Iowa Conference Tournament with the No. 5 seed and will face No. 4 Luther Nov. 3 or 4 in Decorah for the first round of the Iowa Conference Tournament. Follow www.simpson.edu/storm for exact time and date.

Notes: On senior day at Buxton Stadium, seniors Youngman, Jeremy Ward (Norwalk, Iowa), Matt Winegard (Muscatine, Iowa), Connor Skultety (Lincoln, Neb.), Corey Miller (Sioux City, Iowa) and Clint Lawter (Wichita, Kan.) played the final home match of their careers … Simpson's goal by Lahart was only the fourth goal scored against the Duhawks in conference play this season … senior Corey Miller ends the regular season in a tie for Simpson's career assists record (21) … in the regular season match against Luther, the Norse defeated the Storm 1-0 in Decorah … Simpson looks for its first win in the Iowa Conference Tournament since 2005, head coach Mike Wilson's first year with the Storm … under Wilson, Simpson is 1-4 in the IIAC Tournament … Luther and Simpson have met in the first round in three out of the last four years, with Luther holding a 2-1 advantage in those matches.