Storm tame Kohawks for opening conference victory

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Simpson men's soccer team won their conference opener for the seventh straight season, blasting Coe, 5-1, at Buxton Stadium on Saturday.

Alan Imamovic started the action early for the Storm (7-2, 1-0 A-R-C), but his curving half-volley from the top of the box hit the side netting, going narrowly wide. The Storm continued to control the game, with the Kohawks (1-7-1, 0-1 A-R-C) struggling to produce any meaningful attacks.

The breakthrough arrived in the 16th minute, when Ronaldo Ordaz played a lovely cross-field pass that found a streaking Baraka Ellie. Ellie's touch led the Coe defender into fouling him, drawing a penalty kick. Ellie stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right-hand corner for his team-leading fifth goal of the year.

Ellie continued to lead the press for the Storm, as he dribbled into the box from the left side, cut inside, but his shot was well saved by the fingertips of Kohawk goalkeeper JR Howard in the 36th minute. Simpson starting goalkeeper William Kopp did not have much to do in the first half, but did make a clean catch on a Coe freekick heading towards the top right corner.

The second half began with early danger signs for the Storm. A Kohawk free kick found Kenny Ito unmarked in the six-yard box, but he fortunately put his effort wide. The Kohawks were left to rue that opportunity, as Mateaus Lewis found the net just moments later. Matt Hasken's free kick was played back into the goalmouth by Andrew Russell and finally dispatched by Lewis for his third goal of the year.

The Storm went up 3-0 before the hour mark, with Imamovic being played through on the right hand side. He unselfishly squared the ball to Lewis, who scored his second of the game.

Coe did not go down without a fight, however, as Ian Kearney pulled one back in the 58th minute. The Storm could not clear their lines, with the original threat not dealt with. The second ball back into the box found Kearney at the backpost to cut into the lead.

Despite Coe's newfound confidence, the Storm withstood the Kohawks and once again took a grasp of the game. Ordaz's header with around 20 minutes to go was cleared off the line, before Russell's follow-up was blocked as well.

Simpson finally sealed the contest in the 77th minute, when Ellie's corner found the head of sophomore defender Ben Reynolds. The goal was Reynolds first in a Simpson shirt.

The afternoon was capped off with a goal from Spencer Young, returning to play in his first game of the year after an injury. Jackson Mears played a lofted ball to the back post, where Imamovic coolly touched it down for Young, who blasted it in the net for the Storm's fifth goal.

The Storm dominated the shot category, outshooting the Kohawks 30-11. Simpson has now won 12 straight matches against Coe, leading the all-time series, 26-2-1.

Up Next

The Storm remain at home for Senior Day, Tuesday at 5 p.m., against Hamline.