Kline delivers clutch goal in season opening draw

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Zach Kline delivered an equalizing goal in the second half to pull Simpson to a 1-1 season opening draw against Augustana on Friday night.

Augustana (0-0-1) jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the 11th minute after applying early pressure against the Storm (0-0-1) backline. After the opening attack from the Vikings, Simpson settled into its rhythm midway through the first half. Simpson outshot Augustana 8-to-2 in the first half, but was unable to find the back of the net.

Simpson continued to pressure the Vikings' defense in the second half, and eventually broke through in the 69th minute. On a deep ball up the sideline from Kinnick Andrews, Kline beat one defender and scored his first goal of the season for Simpson to tie the score at 1-1. The Storm continued to look for the game-winning goal but eventually ran out of time on the attack, leading to the draw.

TOP PERFORMANCES

• Zach Kline: 1 goal, 1 shot
• Tim Sedlock: 3 shots, 2 shots on goal
• Allan Martinez: 3 shots
• Nate Hersom: 90 minutes, 1 goal allowed, 1 save

NOTES

• The tie broke the Storm's 15 straight season opening win streak
• Simpson and Augustana's head-to-head matchup moves to 10-7-4.
• The goal marked the eighth goal in the career for Kline.

UP NEXT

Simpson hosts Illinois College at home tomorrow, Saturday, August 30 at 4:00 p.m.