Storm extend unbeaten streak to six with rout of Buena Vista

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Simpson men's soccer team used six different goalscorers to easily dispatch Buena Vista, extending its unbeaten streak to six with a 6-0 victory, Wednesday, at Buxton Stadium.

The win also ensures the Storm (9-2-1, 2-0-1 A-R-C) continue their unbeaten start in American Rivers Conference Play and remain tied for first atop the conference. The Beavers (0-9-2, 0-3-0 A-R-C) remain winless on the year.

The Beavers had a gameplan, sitting deep in their half looking to disrupt and frustrate the Storm attack while picking and choosing their times to counter attack. It was working early, with numerous Beaver defenders routinely covering for their teammates when Storm attackers would get near the box.

The resistance was finally broken in the 31st minute. Alan Imamovic sprayed a lovely cross-field pass to the path of Baraka Ellie, who controlled the ball and finally isolated his defender in a true 1v1 situation. Ellie beat his defender for pace before slotting the ball off the right-hand post to give the Storm a deserved lead. It was Ellie's team-leading seventh goal of the season and Imamovic's team-leading fourth assist on the year.

Once the first goal went in, the floodgates opened up. Barely over two minutes later, Louie Hoehle assisted Matt Hasken's first goal of the season. The Storm's blitz continued, as Espoire Coemezi received a ball from a Doug Vander Linden cross and coolly struck into the back of the net before halftime. The Storm's three first half goals came in a span of less than seven minutes.

The goal of the evening came from senior Ricardo Ibarra. Ibarra, trailing the play from his defensive midfield position, ran onto a ball that was deflected out of the Buena Vista box following a cross. Ibarra struck it with his left foot on the half volley, as it rocketed into the top-right corner of the goal, beating the Buena Vista goalkeeper at full stretch.

The Storm added their fifth just three minutes later, with a strong press from Jackson Mears enabling him to win the ball back near the Buena Vista box. Mears then hesitated on the ball, drawing his defender in before cutting inside him and curling a right-footed effort into the net for his second goal of the year.

Ethan Larbi wrapped up the scoring for the Storm. Alex Aguirre wrapped up his impressive appearance by beating two Beaver defenders to the ball, holding it up, and playing a brilliant short reverse through ball to the onrushing Larbi. Larbi rounded the goalkeeper before finishing the goal off, making it his first career goal in his first career appearance.

The Storm remain at home for a massive contest against Loras, who is receiving votes in the national Top 25 Poll. The match will take place on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.