Storm avoid tie, beat Fontbonne 2-1

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Kyle Kusy broke a 1-1 tie in the 83rd minute and the Simpson men's soccer team avoided a second-straight draw with a 2-1 win over Fontbonne in the home opener on Friday night.

Just two nights off their first non-win of the season – a 1-1 tie at Nebraska Wesleyan on Wednesday – the Storm (4-0-1) looked to be headed toward another draw when Zach Meyer capitalized on a corner kick from Justin Williams in the 73rd minute.

Kusy changed the mood late in the second half when he found himself alone from 25 yards out on the right wing and hammered a liner over the top of keeper, Zach Will.

"It was a great finish," head coach Rick Isaacson said. "Kyle is a quality midfielder in his ability to possess and distribute in his holding-mid position, but what he also brings to the game is the ability to strike the ball from a distance. He's a threat and you have to account for him from 30-40 yards out."

The shot marked the first multi-goal game of the season for the Storm, who had scored one in each of their first four contests.

"That is a reassuring feeling," head Isaacson said regarding his team's ability to score more than once in a game. "We've generated a lot of quality opportunities early in the year, we just haven't been able to capitalize."

Kusy's was one of only six shots taken in the second half by Simpson, which dominated play in the first half and outshot Fontbonne 10-4. The second half saw Fontbonne hold a 10-6 edge.

The Griffins (2-2-1) put six shots on goal, led by four from Williams. Will made four saves in the losing effort.

Mitchell White gave Simpson a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute when he collected a deflected Marcus Varnum attempt and went right net from 10 yards out.

Luke Aronow minded the net with five saves on the evening.

Simpson travels to Westminster (Mo.) on Sept. 16 for a 6 p.m. kickoff.