Storm can't recover from slow start, bow out of IIAC Tournament

DUBUQUE, Iowa – A rocky first 20 minutes put the Simpson men's soccer team behind the 8-ball early, and the Storm couldn't come back in a 3-0 loss to Loras in the Iowa Conference Tournament Semifinals on Wednesday.

The top-seeded and 19th-ranked Duhawks (13-4-1) had three goals by the 19-minute mark, punching their ticket to Saturday's championship game against second-seeded Dubuque. The Spartans beat Luther 1-0 in the other semifinal.

"We made a few critical mistakes early in the game that led to goals," head coach Rick Isaacson said. "From there, it became very challenging to dig ourselves out of the hole we created."

Alex Bradley found the back of the net first, getting a goal in the sixth minute. Johnny Rummelhart added a long goal in the 14th minute and Kevin Higgins collected a loose ball in the box to make it 3-0 in the 19th minute.

The fourth-seeded Storm (9-9-3) played even with Loras the rest of the way, but couldn't crack the league's top defense.

"We were confident and prepared entering the game, but conceding an early goal allowed them to capture the momentum from the onset," Isaacson said. "It wasn't the start we were looking for."

Simpson owned a 7-1 edge in shots attempted in the second half. Cody Jacobson put two shots on frame and Nick Joslyn had one. Austin Schafer made one save in just his second loss since taking over the starting goalkeeping duties on Oct. 10.

Nine seniors made their final appearance for the Storm. Jacobson, Josh Dicken, Drew Johnston, Louis Joslyn, Zach McEntee, Tyler Neumann, Connor Nightingale, Matt Stewart and Marcus Varnum all suited up for the final time.

"I am awfully proud of how far our team came this season," Isaacson said. "It was a fun and memorable ride with this senior class. We will miss them."

Two members of the senior class left a significant imprint on the Simpson record book. Neumann closes his career as the program leader with 25 assists and ranks third in points (85) and is tied for fourth in goals (30). Varnum ranks second in career shots (193), sixth in assists (18) and is tied for 10th in points (60).