Yellowjackets 2, Simpson 1

MOORHEAD, Minn.: After a slim victory Friday over Concordia College, the Yellowjackets stayed in Moorhead for a neutral site match against Simpson College. And although the opponent was different, the trend of tight contests for the 2018 Yellowjackets did not.

After falling behind the Yellowjackets struck twice in quick succession, and for the second straight day earned a 2-1 victory. With the win the Yellowjackets have now won three matches in a row.

Simpson drew first blood in the 37th minute giving Simpson a 1-0 lead, a lead they would take into halftime.

Just after the opening whistle of the second half the Yellowjackets got on the board and wrested the momentum away from Simpson. After Noah Merritt (Woodville, Wis./Baldwin-Woodville) was fouled in the box a penalty kick was awarded to the Yellowjackets. Elliot Chapman (Lancaster, England/Ripley St. Thomas) would take the kick, and the senior made no mistake, scoring his first goal of the season to tie the match at 1-1.

The Yellowjackets would take the lead for good just four minutes later. This time it was Fernando Bicalho (Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/Kickapoo (Wis.)) drilling one past Simpson goalkeeper Jake Potratz to put the Yellowjackets ahead 2-1. Bicalho's first goal of the year came in the 52nd minute and came with assists by Felix Blick (Linkoping, Sweden/Katedralskolan) and Eric Watson (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Hammarskjold).

After the tie-breaking goal, Simpson began to play with more urgency and had a number of shots, but the Yellowjacket defense stood strong. In the final moments the Yellowjackets shut down a Simpson corner kick and also blocked a shot with under 30 seconds to play, preserving the victory.

Dalton VonKaenel (Eagan, Minn./Eagan H.S.) got the start for the Yellowjackets and made eight saves to get the win. He is now 2-1 on the year.

The Yellowjackets were outshot 21-14 in the match, but shots on goal were much closer, with Simpson holding a 9-8 edge. Watson led the Yellowjackets with nine shot attempts.

Up Next: The Yellowjackets (3-2-0, 0-0-0 U.M.A.C.) will try to keep it flowing Tuesday, September 11 when they host Augsburg University at the N.B.C. Spartan Sports Complex. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.