Simpson duo takes home A-R-C Player of the Week awards

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Ricardo Ibarra won the American Rivers Conference Defensive Player of the Week award, while Mateaus Lewis was named Offensive Player of the Week, as announced by the conference office, Monday.

For Ibarra, it marks the second time in his career that he has won the Defensive Player of the Week. The senior defender played almost the entirety of Simpson's three wins last week, leading the Storm defense to two shutouts. Ibarra was also a vital part of Simpson's 5-1 conference-opening home win against Coe on Saturday.

Lewis earned the Offensive Player of the Week award for the first time in the midst of his successful start to the campaign. Lewis tallied three goals and dished out two assists across the three wins. In the 3-0 win at Illinois College, Lewis was involved in every goal, scoring once and assisting the two others. Lewis capped off his marvelous week with a brace against Coe, with his two goals coming less than seven minutes apart in the second half.

Baraka Ellie was also a crucial contributor in the Storm's perfect week. Ellie totaled four goals and an assist over the three matches, scoring at least once in all three. Ellie scored twice to kick off the week at Illinois College, with both assists coming from Lewis. Ellie then scored the lone goal in the narrow 1-0 win at Saint Mary's (Minn.), before netting the opening goal via a penalty kick against Coe. Ellie also delivered an assist off a corner, which was dispatched by the head of Ben Reynolds.

The Storm welcome Hamline to Buxton Stadium at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The match will also serve as the team's Senior Day, with the ceremony taking place approximately 20 minutes before the match.

2022-23 A-R-C Player of the Week honorees
Ricardo Ibarra, Men's Soccer (9/26/22)
Mateaus Lewis, Men's Soccer (9/26/22)
Andrew Klein, Men's Cross Country (9/12/22)
Cassie Nash, Women's Soccer (9/12/22)
Jessica Jacobs, Volleyball (9/6/22)