Storm bow out of conference tournament

WAVERLY, Iowa - Second-seeded Wartburg scored five goals in the first half en-route to a 6-0 win in the Iowa Conference Tournament Semifinals against third-seeded Simpson.

The Knights (16-1-2) got a school-record four assists from Katy Wendt and advance to play in the IIAC Championship against top-seeded Loras on Saturday. The Duhawks beat Luther 2-0.

The Storm (13-5-2) took nine shots on the cold, wet night, falling to the No. 9 Knights for the second time this season. Nicole Dillenburg and Katherine Bird took two shots each and Megan Petersen made eight saves between the posts in 74 minutes. Jess Toyne made three.

"We had a six-game turnaround this year and improved from sixth to third in the conference - we made great strides this season as a team on and off the field," head coach Ryan Sander said. "Overall, I'm really proud of the girls and what we were able to accomplish this season and look forward to taking another big step next season."

Anna Aquino opened the scoring in the second minute. Kelli Anderson added a goal in the ninth minute and Chelsea Frye scored back-to-back goals in the 11th and 34th minutes. Taylor Shaw closed the first half scoring less than two minutes later.

Taylor Vermie added the lone goal of the second half.

Notes: Dillenburg closed her career as the sixth-leading scorer in Simpson history with 34 goals ... she scored at least eight goals in each of her four seasons ... she also ranks fifth with 236 shots ... Katherine Bird's 16 career assists rank 10th in program history ... in addition to Bird and Dillenburg, seniors Lacy Davis, Andrea Duncan, Corie Peterson and Catherine Mayes took the field for the final times in their careers.