Varnum's clutch goal helps Storm advance in thriller

INDIANOLA, Iowa - So often this season the Simpson men's soccer team has out-played opponents only to fall in heartbreaking fashion. 

Marcus Varnum wasn't going to let that happen Saturday night.

Simpson trailed Wartburg 1-0 when Varnum scored the equalizer with just 15 seconds left on the clock, forcing overtime and allowing the Storm to advance on penalty kicks 6-5 in the Iowa Conference Tournament.

The No. 4 seed Storm (9-8-3) took 13 more shots and put five more on goal than the No. 5 seed Knights (11-6-2), yet were in danger of bowing out of the tournament early.

"When you see those 59 seconds start ticking down, you get a little worried," Varnum said. "But we had to keep fighting, keep going and that's exactly what we did."

With the clock ticking under 30 seconds, Simpson got one last chance in the attacking third, and Varnum took advantage.

The senior captain collected a feed from classmate Tyler Neumann, took a touch and blasted an offering from 20 yards out, tucking it inside the far post against the Iowa Conference's top goalkeeper.

"With a minute left, Marcus was still trying to fire his teammates up, saying 'we've got one more shot at this, we've got one more shot at this, find me.' Low and behold, that's what happened," head coach Rick Isaacson said. "A lot of credit goes to Marcus for staying engaged when a lot of guys would have given up in that situation."

Garrett Pochop had the best opportunity to end the game in overtime, placing a header off the far post in the 109th minute. The teams ended tied 1-1 after a 110 minutes, resulting in a shootout to determine the advancing team.

Each team made its first five penalty kicks before Wartburg flinched. Colyn Snider shot high against Chris Harris, who replaced Austin Schafer in goal for the shootout. Collin Hemann needed to convert his chance to send Simpson to the next round. He did just that, setting off a wild celebration on the field. 

"I just took a deep breath and the next thing I knew the ball was in the back of the net and I was celebrating with my teammates," Hemann said.

Schafer had a monster game between the posts, making eight saves in the draw. His counterpart, Austin Boyke, made 12 saves for Wartburg.

Zubeen Azari put Wartburg on the board in the 78th minute when he collected a cross from Paris Martins.

Simpson will play No. 1 seed Loras in Dubuque on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Start time is set for 8 p.m.