Storm tie for fifth in A-R-C Preseason Coaches Poll
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Simpson College men's soccer team tied for fifth in the American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches Poll on Tuesday.
The Storm tied for fifth with Nebraska Wesleyan with 33 points each. Defending regular season champion Loras took home the top spot with six of the nine first place votes, and 62 points total.
Simpson begins its 2024 campaign on the road at Augustana on Friday, Aug. 30. Returning to helm for his 14th season, Rick Isaacson brings back an experienced squad looking to make waves in the standings. "We are cautiously optimistic regarding our outlook for the 2024 season," said Isaacson. "Simpson fielded a young team a year ago and it's our hope that the experience those players gained will translate to greater success this fall."
A LOOK BACK AT 2023
- The Storm finished the season with a 7-10-1 record and a 4-4-0 record in conference play, finishing fifth in the A-R-C, and reached the first round of the conference tournament.
- Simpson featured four selections on the all-conference team, headlined by forward Ronaldo Ordaz on the first team. Returners Zach Kline and Espoire Nkomezi were tabbed honorable mention along with graduating senior Matt Hasken.
- The Storm tied for second overall in the conference with 36 goals scored.
- A third team all-region selection, Ordaz led the conference in both goals scored (13) and assists (11).
- Arya Nowroozi placed third overall in conference in saves (52) and saves per game (3.71), along with two clean sheets
KEY OFFENSIVE RETURNERS (2023 STATS)
Ronaldo Ordaz, senior forward (13 goals, 11 assists)
Zach Kline, sophomore forward (4 goals, 4 assists)
KEY DEFENSIVE RETURNERS (2023 STATS)
Sal Fratianni, sophomore defender (18 matches started, 1556 minutes)
Ben Reynolds, senior defender (18 matches played, 1246 minutes, 3 goals, 1 assist)
Arya Nowroozi, junior goalkeeper (52 saves, 3.71 saves per game)
2024 AMERICAN RIVERS CONFERENCE MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Loras (12-4-4, 6-2-0 A-R-C) - 62 points
2. Wartburg (12-2-6, 5-1-2 A-R-C) - 58 points
3. Luther (6-8-6,4-3-1 A-R-C) - 48 points
4. Dubuque (8-9-2, 5-2-1 A-R-C) - 43 points
t-5. Simpson (7-10-1, 4-4-0 A-R-C) - 33 points
t-5. Nebraska Wesleyan (10-4-4, 3-3-2 A-R-C) - 33 points
7. Central (7-8-2, 3-5-0 A-R-C) - 24 points
8. Coe (8-7-2, 3-5-0 A-R-C) - 15 points
9. Buena Vista (1-15-3, 0-8-0 A-R-C) - 8 points
