Ellie, Ibarra earn All-Region distinction

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Baraka Ellie and Ricardo Ibarra of Simpson men's soccer team were named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region IX Team, as announced on Tuesday.

Ellie and Ibarra received their first career All-Region honors, with Ellie being named to the second team and Ibarra garnering third team honors. It is only the third time in program history that the Storm have had an All-Region performer in back-to-back seasons, after Jordy Triana-Vasquez was named to the third team last season. It is also the first time since 2019 that the Storm have had multiple All-Region honorees in a single season.

Ellie, a senior, is coming off of his best season from statistical production, leading the Storm with 10 goals while starting all 19 matches. Ellie also chipped in three assists to finish his career in second place in assists in program history. Ellie was named All-American Rivers Conference for the fourth time in his career earlier this month, leading the Storm to its third straight appearance in a conference tournament semifinal.

Another senior, Ibarra contributed in both defense and midfield this year for the Storm. While playing in the back four most of his career, Ibarra cemented himself as the team's leading presence in defensive midfield, allowing him to go forward more in the past as well. Starting 17 matches and appearing in 19, Ibarra more than doubled his career goals total this past season, scoring three. Ibarra was named A-R-C Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career and also received his second career all-conference honor this month.