Valiant Storm effort comes up short in final minutes

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Down a man for almost a whole hour, the Simpson College men's soccer team fought brilliantly, but ultimately fell to Macalester, 4-2, Sunday, at Buxton Stadium.

The game was back and forth early, with the Scots (2-0-0) striking just past the first five minutes, but the Storm responded less than 75 seconds later. However, the Storm's Espoire Nkomezi was shown a red card for a last man foul 30 minutes into the game, with the Scots scoring on the ensuing free kick. Simpson equalized with a penalty kick before halftime and held on despite waves of attacks from the Scots in the second half. Unfortunately, the valiant effort was undone in cruel fashion, with the Scots striking twice late to claim the win.

GOAL SUMMARY

• The Scots struck first, with Branko Sciortino cutting inside and firing a low drive at the near post to open the scoring.
• Simpson responded seconds later, with Matt Hasken spraying a cross-field pass to Andrew Russell, who took the ball down expertly and fired a lofted shot over the Scots' keeper who was off his line.
• After Nkomezi was sent off, Macalestar's Kasdan Blattman sweetly struck the ensuing free kick at the top of the box into the top left corner, giving the Scots a 2-1 lead.
• Ronaldo Ordaz drew a foul off a long free kick just a few minutes later, earning himself a penalty kick that he coolly dispatched into the right-hand side of the goal to tie the game.
• Despite the Simpson defensive effort, Blattman scored with less than five minutes remaining after a long throw was laid off by a Scots' player.
• Macalester added a fourth to seal the game with a long, lofted chip into the left side of the net.

GAME LEADERS

• Kasdan Blattman (MAC) - two goals
• Branko Sciortino (MAC) - one goal, one assist
• Ronaldo Ordaz (SIM) - one goal
• Andrew Russell (SIM) - one goal

NOTABLE

• This was the first meeting between the two programs since 2009, with Simpson winning that game 1-0.
• Simpson is now 2-2-1 at home against Macalester all-time.
• Ordaz's penalty kick was his 10th career goal for Simpson.

UP NEXT

Simpson continues their homestand to start the year by hosting Illinois College next Friday at 5 p.m.