Storm punch ticket to third straight championship game

INDIANOLA, Iowa – For the third year in a row, the Simpson College women's soccer team has punched a ticket to the American Rivers Conference Tournament Championship. The Storm defeated Wartburg 1-0 in the semifinal round to move one step closer to the trophy.

Continuing her postseason heroics, Cassie Nash put Simpson (14-1-3) ahead 1-0 in the 36th minute. Julia Wagoner assisted the goal and played all 90 minutes to help the Storm to their 10th shutout of the year.

Meredith Downs made four saves in goal and Simpson outshot the Knights (10-7-3) by a margin of 13-7.

NOTES

• The Storm advance to the conference championship game for the seventh time in program history. Simpson will be competing for its second tournament title and first since 1999.
• Simpson is now 18-17-4 all-time in the conference playoffs. 
• The Storm improve to 9-1-1 inside Buxton Stadium and have won 19 of their last 21 home games.
• The Storm have won four straight over the Knights, their longest win streak since winning eight between 1997-03.
• Cassie Nash now has 80 goals and 194 points in her career. This was her 23rd gamewinner.
• Meredith Downs now ranks sixth all-time with 19 career wins.
• Simpson tallied its 10th shutout of the year, the seventh time in program history the Storm have recorded double-digit shutouts in a single season.

UP NEXT
Simpson will face off against Loras in the A-R-C Championship game for the third consecutive year. The match will be held at the Rock Bowl in Dubuque. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.