Simpson falls to Concordia

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson men's soccer team controlled the pace early in the first half, but Concordia (Minn.) got a pair of second half goals as the Cobbers defeated the Storm, 2-0 on Senior Day at Buxton Stadium Sunday afternoon.

Jared Rice and Riley McGlynn scored goals for Concordia, as the Cobbers (10-6, 5-3 MIAC) won their eighth straight match.

Simpson (6-7-3, 3-3-1 IIAC) had opportunities, holding an 18-17 advantage in shots. The Storm also took six corner kicks to Concordia's four.

Rice's goal got Concordia on the board in the 52nd minute. Alex Dahl slotted a pass to Rice, who headed the helper into the left corner of the goal for a 1-0 advantage. McGlynn came away with his team-leading 11th goal of the season in the 80th minute, when he took a deflection off a save by Simpson goalkeeper Jeremy Ward (Sr., Norwalk, Iowa) and placed the ball in the open net.

McGlynn led all players with eight shots, putting five on goal.

Simpson had dangerous opportunities in the second half, with the best chance coming in the 84th minute. Racing into the Concordia-third of the field, Jeremy Reinert (Fr., F, Indianola, Iowa) placed a pin-point cross from the close right wing to the oncoming Corey Miller (Sr., MF, Sioux City, Iowa) occupying the box.

Miller's shot attempt drew Cobbers keeper Mads Schmidt out of the net to make a diving deflection, which trickled to Chris Allen (So., F, Reinbeck, Iowa). Allen couldn't take advantage of the open net, however, as his shot attempt sailed high.

Allen led Simpson with four shot attempts, though none were on goal. Reinert took three shots, putting one on goal.

The Storm got out to a fast start in the contest, outshooting Concordia 6-1 in the first 13 minutes of the first period while spending quality time in the attacking-third of the field. The Cobbers went on to outshoot Simpson 8-0 in the remaining 32 minutes of the half.

Ward made a season-high eight saves in the loss. His counterpart, Schmidt, had five saves in his seventh shutout of the season.

Simpson will play its final match of the season against conference-frontrunner, Loras, next Saturday at Buxton Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.