Boxscore
INDIANOLA – A three-goal second half explosion did three good things for the Wartburg College men’s soccer team Oct. 30.
It helped coach Kirk Artist’s team clinch a share of the program’s fourth league title and also earned them a top seed in next weekend’s Iowa Conference tournament. The rally also gave the Knights their 10th win of the season by a 3-0 count over Simpson.
“The guys knew what they needed to do,” Artist said. “I challenged them, after the loss last weekend to Dubuque, about finishing strongly. They did so.
“Our players took it to another level and finished chances,” he added. “We’ve got a week to make sure we’re healthy, and I think tonight’s win gives us great momentum to reach a goal we’re aiming for.”
Wartburg held a 22-13 shots advantage on the host Storm. Senior midfielder Lucas Prater (Springfield, Mo.), broke up a scoreless tie in the 49th minute, taking a pass from senior forward Eric Peters (Bartlett, Ill.), and sending it into the Simpson net. He came back in the 74th minute for his eighth goal of the year. Sophomore forward Brandon Cook (Bondurant) added a score in the 71st minute.
On defense, it was the seventh shutout of the year. Senior goalkeeper Brandon Busbee (Hiawatha), gaining his sixth blanking, ended with six saves.
Wartburg faces either fourth seeded Central or fifth seeded Luther in a semifinal round match of the 2010 IIAC tournament Friday, Nov. 5, at Loras College’s Rock Bowl in Dubuque.
Notes – The Knights have reeled off double-digit wins in each of the last 10 seasons. … Prater’s multiple-goal finish was his second of the year and second in the last three matches.
