Storm fall at Luther in A-R-C Semifinal

DECORAH, Iowa - Simpson men's soccer team saw its run end in the American Rivers Conference Semifinals, falling 4-1, Wednesday, at Luther Soccer Field.

Despite a Storm (12-4-3, 4-1-3 A-R-C) free kick right outside the Norse (11-3-5, 4-0-4 A-R-C) box in the opening minute, the Norse struck first inside three minutes. A cross from the left hand side found a Norse attacker who laid it off to Marcos Vila, who finished past Nate Hersom for the opening goal of the match.

The Norse doubled their lead in the 20th minute. After some sustained pressure from the Storm, the Norse broke out on a counter attack, ending in a finish from Will Overberg. The Storm nearly cut the lead in half moments later, winning the ball back high up the pitch. Matt Hasken played a squared ball across the box that found Roderick Orellana-Lemus. His shot was saved by Norse keeper Jack Bell, with another defender clearing the follow up off the line.

Luther added a third in the 29th minute, after winning a ball in the Storm defensive third. A ball played across the box was dispatched by a sliding Overberg, sending the Norse into halftime with a 3-0 lead.

The Storm knew they needed a big second half and got a perfect start. Tyler Hannon intercepted a pass and started a counter attack that led to a ball being chipped into the path of Alan Imamovic, who rounded Bell near the top of the box and gave the Storm renewed life.

However, the Norse struck the fatal blow in the 62nd minute, with Vila playing a through ball to Faydane Ouro-Akondo, who slotted the ball into the left hand corner past Hersom. After the goal, the Norse were able to hold on for the victory, spelling the end to the Storm's postseason run.