Men's soccer can't find equalizer against No. 6 Loras

INDIANOLA, Iowa - It was another agonizing finish for the Simpson men's soccer team.

For the second time in as many meetings, Simpson suffered a narrow defeat against the Iowa Conference's perennial powerhouse.

Mike Pizzello headed in Tom Fluegel's throw-in early in the second half, the only letdown by the Simpson defense, and No. 6 Loras held on for a 1-0 win Saturday afternoon.

Simpson managed just five shots on the day, putting three on goal.

"I was proud of the way we competed and was proud of our effort," head coach Rick Isaacson said. "Unfortunately we didn't execute in the attacking third of the field and we were unable to generate any quality scoring chances."

Zach McEntee made 10 saves in goal for the Storm (10-7, 1-3 Iowa Conference), who have lost four of six.

A big reason for the slide has been quality of competition, as three of those losses have come against the Iowa Conference's 2013 NCAA Tournament representatives: Wartburg, Luther and Loras.

"Our conference record is misleading," Issacson said. "We are four games in and we've already played the top three teams in our conference. We're disappointed, but we know the final three games are winnable if we bring our 'A' game."

Pizzello's goal came in the 52^nd minute when he leaned for Fluegel's throw-in from the far sideline, giving the Duhawks (11-1-1, 4-0) their 17^th straight win in the series.

Loras also earned a 1-0 result against Simpson in last season's IIAC Tournament Semifinals.

Josh Harry took two shots, one on goal, and Nick Joslyn and Anthony Ashbridge also put shots on frame for Simpson.

Up Next

Simpson goes to Cedar Rapids to face Coe next Saturday, Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. The Kohawks (3-9, 0-3) played Wartburg late on Saturday.