Storm claim season-opening road victory

ROCK ISLAND, Ill, - Simpson College men's soccer team opened its season with a 1-0 win on the road over Augustana, at Thorson-Lucken field, Thursday.

With the win, head coach Rick Isaacson extends his record win streak in season openers to 12. Since taking over the program in 2011, the team has won every single season-opening match. "It was a typical opener," said Isaacson. "It was two teams struggling feeling each other out and we have plenty to work on as we shift our focus to Sunday."

The opening ten minutes was slow and controlled, with both sides getting a feel for each other. However, that quickly changed less than five minutes later, with junior Mateaus Lewis opening the scoring following a contested ball off a corner kick. After a referee consultation, the goal was given, with the Storm (1-0) erupting in celebration. For Lewis, it was his second career goal and his first since the 2020 season.

Simpson continued on the front foot, seeing more of the ball and controlling play. Jackson Mears unleashed a ferocious strike from the top of the box in the 35th minute, with the ball going just over. The Vikings (0-1) finally showed some life in their attack, forcing two saves from sophomore goalkeeper William Kopp. After another shot coming in from Espoire Nkomezi that was saved by Augustana goalkeeper Benjamin Samuelson, the Storm went into the break up 1-0.

The second half began much like the first, with both teams struggling to gain control. There were no huge chances from either side until around the 70th minute mark. Roderick Orellana-Lemus had a shot that went high, as Augustana started to leave more space in its defense chasing a tying goal.

Simpson had a golden chance to make it 2-0 with less than ten minutes to go, with Samuelson saving a contested ball that deflected into the path of Matt Hasken, but a brilliant goal-line challenge from a Viking defender denied the Storm an insurance goal.

Augustana threw everything at the Storm, with an 83rd minute shot from Ben Statz going just wide of Kegan Trebilcock's right post. The Vikings had one more chance in them, with winger Justin Kornas being played through on the right-hand side, but fortunately blazed his shot well over the bar, as the Storm held on for a tough 1-0 victory. The Storm outshot their opponents, 11-6.

"I was pleased with our energy and attention to detail tonight", said Isaacson. "Any road win is a big win at this level so we are happy to head home to Indianola with a win."

The Storm stay on the road to take on Cornell College, Sunday, Sept. 4, at 3 p.m.