Fortuitous bounce gives Storm 1-0 win

INDIANOLA, Iowa - A series of unlucky breaks led to Simpson's 0-5 start, but the ball finally bounced the other way.

Amy Loverin scored on a rebound off the crossbar in the 87th minute and the Simpson women's soccer team beat Fontbonne, 1-0 on Friday evening.

The Storm (1-5) snapped an eight-game skid dating back to 2012 with the win, a much needed one for fourth-year head coach Ryan Sander and his team.

"We needed this real bad," Sander said. "The girls have been playing well, we just haven't been able to put the ball into the net." 

A reserve forward, Loverin picked the perfect time for her first goal of the season. Her chance was made possible by Kate Morford, who fired a rocket from the top of box that deflected off the crossbar. Loverin took the rebound and found the back of the net from two yards out.

The goal was initally called off, as one official thought the ball may have defelcted off the football crossbar. But, after a brief discussion, the officials decided the goal would stand.

Stephanie Cox made a pair of saves for Simpson in earning her first career win as a goalkeeper.

The Griffins (2-1-1) controlled the game for the first half, outshooting Simpson 9-2 in the opening 45 minutes. Simpson held the attack for much of the second half, however, getting seven quality looks to Fontbonne's five.

"Being a young team, we've had some spacial issues," Sander said. "[In the second half] we got organized and figured it out."

Simpson will look for win No. 2 on Sept. 16 when it travels to Westminster (Mo.) in a 4 p.m. start.