Men's soccer closes regular season in style

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The seniors couldn't have asked for a better way to finish their careers at Buxton Stadium.

In a season filled with tough breaks, the Simpson men's soccer team put the final game of the regular season out of reach early and enjoyed the evening the rest of the way.

Seven different players scored goals, including two seniors, and Simpson put on an offensive clinic in a 7-3 win over Central on Senior Night.

The win gives Simpson the No. 5 seed in the Iowa Conference Tournament, which begins Saturday. The Storm (12-8, 3-4 Iowa Conference) will travel to No. 4 seed Dubuque for the second time in a week after losing to the Spartans 2-1 in double overtime last Saturday.

"Winning today helps us generate momentum as we enter postseason play," head coach Rick Isaacson said. "That, in addition to gaining a higher seed, were the two objectives we had today."

The loss drops Central (5-12, 2-5) to the No. 6 seed, sending the Dutch to No. 3 seed Luther on Saturday.

"Our conference is a grind, so any of the teams you draw in the playoffs will present a tough matchup," Isaacson said. "We weren't looking to play one team over another, but I know the boys are eager for another crack at Dubuque given the recent loss."

Simpson may have used the Dubuque loss to fuel a dominating offensive attack against Central.

Spencer Cook, Tyler Neumann and Collin Hemann all found the back of the net in the first half and Josh Dicken added a goal early in the second half as Simpson raced out to a 4-0 lead by the 57th minute.

The teams traded six goals the rest of the way, giving the fans plenty to cheer about on a chilly fall night.

"In some games we catch fire and score goals in bunches and in others we don't capitalize on the handful of opportunities we create," said Isaacson, reflecting on three, one-goal losses in league play. "That's why we've dropped some matches this year: an inability to score in the final third of the field. But tonight we showed once we get the ball into the final third of the field that we can be a dangerous team."

Cook, one of six seniors recognized before the game, scored the game's first goal and assisted on two more to lead the Storm. Senior Jenner White connected on a penalty kick in the 80th minute for his first career goal, joining Garrett Pochop and Donevan Roe as the second-half goal scorers for Simpson.

Austin Schafer got the win in goal, holding Central scoreless in the first 45 minutes. Chris Harris and Matt Stewart split time in the second half.

Dennis Forrest, Mark Hentschel and Calvin Bill scored goals for the Dutch.

Notes

In three conference wins, Simpson outscored Buena Vista, Coe and Central 22-4 … in four losses, Simpson was outscored by Wartburg, Luther, Loras and Dubuque 9-4 … six seniors were recognized before Tuesday's game: Cook, Kyle Kusy, Matt Loney, Jenner White, Mitchell White and student coach Dalton Hayes.