INDIANOLA, Iowa – Simpson led 2-1 for much of the second half, but goals from Saint Mary’s Jared Wolt in the 72nd minute and then again just over four minutes into overtime helped the Cardinals (3-4) come from behind and wary the Storm 3-2.

Wolt scored the sudden-death game-winner off a rebound that caromed back to him off the right post.

Darius Doswell used a Tyler Neumann cross to put Simpson (4-4-1) up 1-0 in the third minute, but Saint Mary’s put together a rebuttal with a header into the back of the net off a throw-in.

Senior midfielder Marcus Varnum scored with four minutes left in the first half to take the lead and head into halftime strong. It was his third score of the year. 

“Scoring felt nice, but we were hoping to get another one quickly to try to finish out the game,” Varnum said. “That would have done it, but it just didn’t work out.”

The second half was intense, but no scoring was done until Wolt scored the tying goal, taking advantage of a loose ball in the box – once again off a throw-in. Both teams traded jabs until Wolt delivered the haymaker in overtime.

Simpson will have no time to dwell on the loss as it plays at No. 10 Loras on Saturday Sept. 26 and they are already focused on that game.

“This is actually good preparation for Loras,” head coach Rick Isaacson said. “Not because Saint Mary’s plays the same quality soccer as Loras, but because Loras also does very well with free kicks and set pieces and long throws. If Saint Mary’s can score three on us that way, Loras can as well. Hopefully this was a wake up call for us.”

Isaacson said this is a turning point in their season. By this time, they had expected to have a better record. The team feels that they have outplayed every team so far.

Simpson’s offense is on the brink of breaking out, although it has not been able to convert on opportunities. The Storm have 34 more corner kicks than any other team and lead the league in shots, points, assists and assists per game.