Truly great teams make their opponents alter their normalroutines on the field. This was the case last week, when the Stormfell to the Knights.

The Wartburg men’s soccer team forced Simpson to get out of itsgame plan in a conference matchup, causing the Storm to lose to theKnights, 4-1.

“They just came out to play and we didn’t,” sophomore NateRuhland said.

Wartburg dominated most of the game, scoring four goals in thefirst 76 minutes and holding the Storm scoreless.

Simpson was able to get on the board late in the game by way ofsophomore Mosa Shayan’s goal at the 78 minute mark.

Shayan, assisted by junior Angel Salcido, scored the lone goalof the game for the Storm from 25 yards out.

The Knights were able to prevent Simpson from reaching it’s goalof handing them their first conference defeat.

“We didn’t play very well,” Ruhland said. “We just didn’t playour game.”

The Knights allowed Simpson just nine shots for the game, whichis well below the teams’ average of 14.9. Wartburg was able toaccumulate 14 shots for the game, which is the average number ofshots the Storm gives up.

The Storm struggled in its other matchup of the week againstCentral. Simpson spotted the Dutch a four-goal lead before Shayangave the Storm their lone goal of the game off of a penalty kick inthe 89th minute.

The Storm marked their second loss of the week by the score of4-1.

These two games were the toughest part of the team’s schedulethis season. Combined, the Knights and the Dutch have totaled 19wins, three losses and a pair of ties this season, and are right atthe top of the conference.

Simpson’s record currently stands at 6-6-1 overall, and at 2-2in the conference.

According to Ruhland, the team needs to regroup in practice tomake a run at their first conference championship since 2000.

“We have to refocus and get better in practice to get better inour games,” Ruhland said.

The men’s and women’s soccer teams will play next at home onSaturday Oct. 16 at 5 p.m. versus Coe.