Simpson holds off rival Central for opening conference victory

INDIANOLA, Iowa - A brace from Ronaldo Ordaz and the finisher by Zach Kline propelled the Simpson College men's soccer team to a 3-1 win over rival Central in its opening conference match.

The Storm (4-4, 1-0 A-R-C) took the lead in the opening 20 minutes, but the Dutch (3-2-2, 0-1-0 A-R-C) hit back following a corner. However, the Storm turned on the switch in the second half, outshooting the Dutch 11-2, converting that shot advantage into two goals.

GOAL SUMMARY

• Following a throw-in, Central was unable to clear, leaving the ball to fall at Ordaz's feet. The senior forward gathered his footing, before firing through a crowd of players into the corner for a 1-0 Storm lead.
• Central hit back less than 10 minutes later, with Spencer Taylor heading in from close range off a corner kick.
• Simpson took the lead for good in the 66th minute when Andrew Russell cut inside and played the ball out wide to Kline. Kline beat his man for pace and fired a low cross across the box for an easy tap-in for Ordaz.
• Kline finished the game off with five minutes to go, after Tim Sedlock did well to flick a ball to Kline's path. Kline again skinned his defender and fired a low shot past the Central goalkeeper.

STORM LEADERS

• Ronaldo Ordaz: two goals
• Zach Kline: one goal, one assist
• Andrew Russell: one assist

NOTABLE

• The Storm now lead the Dutch in the all-time series 22-11-3, winning the last three matches.
• Ronaldo Ordaz now has nine goals on the year, recording a goal or assist in all but one match this season.
• Simpson has now won every conference opener since 2016.

UP NEXT
The Storm go back out of the conference and on the road to take on Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Tuesday at 4 p.m.