Storm make statement with 5-2 win over No. 25 Loras

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- Rick Isaacson was a senior goalkeeper at Luther College the last time Simpson beat Loras in men's soccer.

This time around, he was on the sidelines wearing red and gold.

Justin Gilmour and Tanner Alderson scored two goals apiece, Baraka Ellie had three assists and Simpson blitzed No. 25 Loras 5-2 on Saturday at Buxton Stadium.

The Storm (9-4-2, 4-1-1 American Rivers) broke open a 2-2 game at halftime with three goals in the second half, snapping a 23-game losing streak to the Duhakws (9-2, 4-1). Simpson's last win against Loras came on Sept. 28, 2002.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Gilmour gave the Storm a 2-0 lead almost before Loras got off the bus. His first goal came in the sixth minute off a feed from Alderson when he fired a left-footed strike from the top of the box over the head of Loras keeper Jesse Buffington. In the ninth minute he collected a loose ball in the box after a corner kick by Ellie to give Simpson the early edge.

Loras wouldn't go away, coming back with two scores late in the half to draw even at the break. Ezekiel Kyoore headed in a cross from Mark Histed in the 33rd minute before Luke Denson connected on a short shot off a corner kick in the closing seconds before the half.

Having gone 12 consecutive games without a goal, Alderson got back in the scoring column in a big way. He collected a corner kick from Ellie and went far post from 10 yards out to put the Storm ahead 3-2 in the 65th minute.

Alderson's first goal opened the flood gates. Another Ellie corner kick found its way to the box in the 66th minute, and Ian Dean flicked a one-timer with the side of his foot to make it a two-goal game. Alderson put the icing on the cake in the 82nd minute when he took a through-ball from Connor Robson and beat the keeper for his fourth goal of the season.

NOTES

• Baraka Ellie's three assists are one shy of tying a school record and are the most for a Simpson player since Darius Doswell against Central on Oct. 29, 2016.
• The five goals scored by Simpson are the most allowed by Loras since Division I Western Illinois also scored five on Sept. 21, 2015.
• After not attempting a corner kick in a 2-1 loss to Luther on Wednesday, the Storm took eight against the Duhawks, turning three into goals.
• Jake Potratz made four saves in goal for the Storm.

UP NEXT

Simpson travels to Winona, Minn. to face Saint Mary's for the final non-conference game of the season Wednesday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.