Late Simpson rally comes up short

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson College men's soccer team attempted a late rally, but saw its attempt come short in a feisty match with American Rivers Conference foe Luther.

The Storm (4-7, 1-1 A-R-C) got a late penalty kick that senior Ronaldo Ordaz converted, but the Norse (5-3-3, 3-0-0 A-R-C) defended the lead in the final moments to claim a 2-1 win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Norse struck first, with an angled ball being played into the path of Felipe Alvarez Casaro, who flicked it in the air to create some space and fired the ball into the roof of the net.
• The Storm had two great chances in the first half, with the first coming from Andrew Russell. Russell received a pass and held off two defenders, shot past the Norse goalkeeper, but hit the post.
• Tim Sedlock nearly evened the game a few minutes later after a bad giveaway by the Norse defense. The freshman cut inside his man and fired a curling effort just wide of the top-right corner.
• Despite the Storm growing in momentum looking to equalize, the Norse doubled their lead past the hour mark, after Ramzi Ouro-Akondo headed home from a corner kick.
• Simpson had one final shot after Russell drew a penalty kick. Ordaz stepped up and scored his 10th goal of the campaign, but Luther held on for the win.

NOTABLE

• Luther continues to be a thorn in the side for the Storm, leading the all-time series 26-9-4.
• Ordaz scored his 10th goal of the season, currently leading the conference.
• Ordaz has made all three of his penalty kicks this season.
• The Storm are now tied for fifth in the conference with defending regular season champion Loras.

UP NEXT

The Storm head to Storm Lake to take on Buena Vista in a crucial conference matchup.