Simpson avenges regular season loss with 1-0 win over Wartburg

WAVERLY, Iowa - Katherine Bird (So., Iowa City, Iowa/City) scored the game's only goal off a header in the 69th minute and goalkeeper Megan Petersen (Fr., Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) made seven saves as the fifth-seeded Simpson women's soccer team defeated fourth-seeded Wartburg, 1-0 Tuesday in the first round of the Iowa Conference Tournament.

The Knights (14-3-2) – who defeated Simpson 2-0 Sept. 26 – held a significant shot advantage in the match, 24-3, but couldn't crack Simpson's defense.

"We were fortunate not to concede a goal early, but we stayed organized and kept fighting," interim head coach Greg Velasquez said. "To our girls' credit, we stuck with the plan and pulled it off in the end."

Simpson (10-7) advances to the semifinals for the second consecutive year, where it faces top-seeded Luther at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. The semifinal and final rounds will be held at Loras' Rock Bowl in Dubuque.

The Norse (10-6-2, 6-1-1 IIAC) took a 1-0, overtime decision from the Storm in the regular season.

"I think we match up well with Luther by pressing them in the back," Velasquez said. "We had opportunities the first time we played, we just couldn't capitalize. We feel like we'll be in it – we're not satisfied with just making the trip."

Bird's third goal of the season came courtesy of an assist from Nicole Dillenburg (Urbandale, Iowa/Urbandale), who picked up her team-leading 18th point of the season with the helper. From there, Simpson relied on another great effort from last week's Iowa Conference Defensive Performer of the Week, Petersen, and a gutsy back line.

"Megan had another outstanding performance in goal and the entire back line was throwing themselves in front of shots" Velasquez said. "Our goal defensively was to keep them outside and force them to take shots from distance. For the most part, we were successful."