Storm thrash Augustana for season-opening win

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Behind two goals and an assist from freshman Zach Kline, the Simpson College men's soccer team blanked Augustana (Ill.) by a score of 4-0 in its season opener at Buxton Stadium.

The Storm (1-0-0) struck twice in each half, thoroughly controlling the game in most periods of play. The Vikings (0-1-0) only mustered seven shots, compared to the Storm's 22. Kline had a magnificent debut for the Storm, providing the assist to Andrew Russell for the Storm's opening goal. Kline scored the second and fourth goals for Simpson, with Ronaldo Ordaz adding the third.

GOALS GALORE

• Kline beat his defender down the line into the box, crossing a ball that the Vikings goalkeeper tipped, but could not deal with, leaving a tap-in header for Russell.
• The second goal was a brilliant piece of individual skill from Kline, blocking a pass and getting control of the ball, before cutting inside and firing a shot into the bottom left corner.
• Simpson was once again the recipient of an error from the Vikings goalkeeper, as Ordaz intercepted a soft pass and curved a 40-yard shot past the retreating keeper.
• Kline wrapped it up with a swift counter-attack, with Alex Aguirre playing a lovely through ball. Kline collected it, beat his defender, and coolly finished into the bottom right corner.

TOP STORM PERFORMERS

• Zach Kline: two goals, one assist
• Andrew Russell: one goal
• Ronaldo Ordaz: one goal
• Arya Nowroozi: earned the goalkeeper win with 78 minutes played and two saves

NOTABLE

• The Storm have now won 14 straight season openers.
• Head coach Rick Isaacson has been in charge for the last 13 of those.
• The Storm have now won five straight games against Augustana, with an overall edge in the series at 9-7-3.

UP NEXT

The Storm have a quick turnaround, taking on Macalestar on Sunday at 12:30 p.m., the second of five straight home games to begin the 2023 season.