Women’s soccer takes a win and a loss

by Olu Rotibi

Sept: 5: Simpson defeats Grinnell, 1-0

With a solid start to the early season, the Simpson women’s soccer team continued their good fortune with a 1-0 over Grinnell College on Wednesday.

Sophomore middle fieldermidfielder Madison Densmore scored her first goal of the season in the 21st minute of play with an assist from freshman middle fieldermidfielder Kate Morford, while goal keeper Megan Petersen put together her second consecutive shutout of the season.

Petersen also had five saves to go along with her shutout.

The defense was the focus of the ball game with senior defenders Kara Lovik and Chelsea Winegard being dynamic with their approach as they helped limit Grinnell shot attempts. Petersen’s saves early in the match proved to be critical in helping the Storm improve to 2-1 this season.

Susan Leslie sustained a stretched MCL from their Sept.2 win vs. Bethel. The Storm hope to have her back in a couple weeks , while freshman defender Katelyn Behounek had to be escorted off the field due to injury late in the second half. Her status is still unknown for the weekend.

The Storm’s next home game is Saturday, Sept. 8 at 7:00 p.m. The Storm host Millikin University who are currently 1-1-1 on the season.

Sept. 8: Millikin quiets Storm, 1-0

An early goal in the first half proved to be costly as the Storm fell to Millikin Saturday evening 1-0 at a busy Bill Buxton Stadium.

Ashley Livingood’s assist to Chelsea Smalley for Millikin sprinting down the field in the seventh minute cost the Storm in Saturday night’s matchup.

The Storm managed to put up five shots on goal, including two from sophomore midfielder Madison Densmore. Millikin had three shots on goal which was enough for a victory.

A lethargic start didn’t help as the Storm now fall to 2-2 on the season.

Head Coach Ryan Sander agrees that the slow start hurt his team down the stretch.

“We had our chances to score but in the end our slow start hurt us,” Sander said. “We made improvements in the second half but we just couldn’t get a goal when we had to.”

Goalkeeper Megan Petersen had two saves and saw her shutout streak of back-to-back matches come to an end.

The Storm host Nebraska Wesleyan on Wednesday, Sept.12. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.