First half goals haunt Storm in loss to Grand View

INDIANOLA, Iowa — The Simpson women's soccer team conceded a pair of first half goals and couldn't find an answer in a 2-0 loss to Grand View in the home opener Wednesday night.

Sydne Gutschenritter and Karianne King connected on first half goals and the Vikings (3-2) kept Simpson out of the net to snap a two-game losing streak. Caitlyn Dayton and Celenka Hommel split time in goal for the combined shutout.

Riley Adams made seven saves in goal for the Storm (0-2), who were unable to generate many chances against a tough Grand View back line. Jessica Payne and Kaitlyn Bravek combined for four of the team's six shots.

KEY MOMENTS
• Gutschenritter took a cross from Joy Battles in the sixth minute to put Grand View on the board.
• King made it a two-goal contest with under 3 minutes to play in the first half when she beat Adams far post from 15 yards out.
• Payne got a clean look and struck a hard shot from the top of the box early in the first half that was collected by Dayton to preserve a scoreless tie.
• Casey Reisen made a nice run down the right wing with just under 10 minutes left but couldn't connect on her cross to a charging Maddie Glascock, the Storm's last quality opportunity.

NOTES & NUMBERS
• Grand View extended its winning streak in the series to eight games.
• Simpson took six shots in the opening frame but couldn't generate enough quality chances in the second half, getting outshot 7-2.
• Wednesday marked the first game on the widened playing surface at Buxton Stadium. The sidelines were extended approximately four feet on either side during the offseason.

UP NEXT
Simpson travels to Wis.-Platteville on Sunday Sept. 10. The Pioneers (0-2) lost to Knox 2-0 on Wednesday and go to Beloit on Saturday. Start time is set for 2 p.m.