First-teamer Varnum highlights six All-IIAC Men's Soccer selections

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Highlighted by a first-team nod for Marcus Varnum, Simpson placed six players on the 2015 All-Iowa Conference Men's Soccer Team, following a vote of the league's coaches.

Joining Varnum on the all-conference team were second team honorees Tyler Neumann, Josh Harry and Garrett Pochop, and honorable mention selections Louis Joslyn and Nick Joslyn. Simpson's six selections are the most under fifth-year head coach Rick Isaacson and the most for a Storm team since 2001.

A senior forward from Ankeny, Iowa, Varnum becomes a four-time All-IIAC performer after earning second team honors in 2014, first team honors in 2013 and honorable mention honors in 2012. The team captain was Simpson's coach on the field, leading the team with 18 points and tying for the team lead with seven goals. He scored two game-winners in conference play, but his biggest goal of the season came with 15 seconds left against Wartburg in the first round of the IIAC Tournament. Simpson trailed 1-0 and was on the verge of elimination when Varnum scored the game-tying goal, forcing overtime and eventually a penalty-kick shootout, which Simpson won 6-5.

A senior forward from Johnston, Iowa, Neumann also earned his fourth All-IIAC accolade. The program's all-time leader in assists was an honorable mention pick in 2014 and took home second team honors in 2012 and 2013. Neumann tied for third on the team with 16 points in 2015, including a team-high eight assists. He etched his name in the record books when he registered his 22nd career assist in Simpson's 3-0 win over Coe on Oct. 16. He closed his career with 25 assists and ranks in the top four in Simpson history in goals (30) and points (85).

A junior defender from Clive, Iowa, Harry was the leader of Simpson's back line. An honorable mention selection a year ago and a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree in 2015, Harry had one goal and three assists, the most of any defender on the team.

A sophomore midfielder form Pierre, S.D., Pochop enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2015. He tied for the team-lead with seven goals, handed out three assists and was second on the team with 17 points.

A senior defender from Baldwin, Kan., Louis Joslyn landed honorable mention honors for the second straight season. A 2015 CoSIDA Academic All-District performer and 2014 Academic All-American, the elder Joslyn led all Simpson defenders with three goals.

A sophomore midfielder from Baldwin, Kans., the younger Joslyn – Nick – started all 21 games for the Storm. He finished with one goal and three assists from his post as a defending-mid.

The Storm went 9-9-3 in 2015 and tied for third in the Iowa Conference with a 4-2-1 mark. Simpson advanced to the IIAC Tournament Semifinals, losing to eventual tournament champion Loras.

2015 All-Iowa Conference Men's Soccer
Offensive MVP – Gonzalo Hernandez, jr., f, Dubuque
Defensive MVP – Jorge Simon, sr., mf, Loras
Coach of the Year – Dan Rothert, Loras

FIRST TEAM – Jacob Peterson, gk, Loras; Danny Daniels, d, Dubuque; Justin Giacotto, d, Loras; Myles Norville, d, Luther; Kevin Krueger, d, Wartburg; Jorge Simon, mf, Loras; Bryan Irwin, mf, Loras; Nigel Nielsen, mf, Luther; Paris Martins, mf, Wartburg; Gonzalo Hernandez, f, Dubuque; Alex Bradley, f, Loras; Johnny Rummelhart, f, Loras; Marcus Varnum, f, Simpson

SECOND TEAM – Riley Jensen, gk, Dubuque; Jake Fahrenkrug, d, Dubuque; Tyler Cruikshank, d, Loras; Sam Koenig, d, Loras; Josh Harry, d, Simpson; Leo Lenth, mf, Dubuque; Spencer Moore, mf, Loras; Matheus Beato, mf, Luther; Garrett Pochop, mf, Simpson; Joshua Parris, f, Luther; Joshua Galvin, f, Luther; Tyler Neumann, f, Simpson; Zubeen Azari, f, Wartburg

HONORABLE MENTION – Jacob Heath, d, Buena Vista; Adelmo Marchiori IV, d, Central; Shuhei Miyake, mf, Coe; Ali Al-Yassery, mf, Coe; Mike Gordon, f, Loras; Taku Chawota, D, Luther; Tommy Breen, gk, Luther; Louis Joslyn, d, Simpson; Nick Joslyn, mf, Simpson; Jonah Waldron, d, Wartburg; Connor Johnson, mf, Wartburg; Jay Tegge, mf, Wartburg; Austin Boyke, gk, Wartburg