Storm top Grinnell, move to 3-0

GRINNELL, Iowa – Tyler Neumann scored a goal in his third consecutive game and the Simpson men's soccer team remained unbeaten after a 2-0 win over Grinnell on Wednesday.

The Storm (3-0) outshot Grinnell 18-6 as they continued the program's best start since 2003. Simpson has yet to allow a goal, marking the first time a Simpson team has ever started 3-0 on consecutive shutouts (the 2002 team shut out their first three opponents but tied one of those matches).

Despite the positive result, second-year head coach Rick Isaacson knows his team has room for improvement.

"We weren't at our best today, but any time you win on the road, that's obviously a good thing," he said. "I think this game will serve as a reminder that we still have a lot of work to do, both in defense and in the final third of the field."

Goalkeepers Luke Aronow and Zach McEntee combind for the shutout, but got plenty of help from a back line which allowed only six shots, including two in the first half.

Neumann put Simpson on the board with an unassisted offering in the 12th minute, his team-leading fourth goal of the season. The freshman is a large reason the Storm have 16 goals through three games, already more than halfway toward their 19-game total of 29 in 2011.

Simpson didn't score again until Jeremy Reinert added an insurance goal in the 59th minute, breaking a a 46-minute cold streak. Kyle Kusy assisted on the play.

"I was encouraged by our effort today but we struggled to find our rhythm and settle into the game," Isaacson said. "At the end of the day, we'll take a road win against a quality Grinnell team."

Simpson returns home Saturday, Sept. 8 when it hosts Millikin in a 7 p.m. kickoff.