MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men battled a full 90 minutes with Simpson, although ran out of time to complete a comeback in Sunday's 3-2 soccer loss at home.
 
The Rams (0-2) came up short for the second consecutive match against a quality American Rivers Conference opponent. Simpson improved to 2-0 on the season.
 
Sophomore newcomer Aidan Lerch put the Rams on the board first with an assisted goal from Andrew Lopez at the 25-minute mark. The Storm answered 11 minutes later and the score was locked 1-1 going into intermission.
 
Simpson continued its 3-0 scoring run with goals in the 58th and 84th minute, pushing its lead to 3-1. Simpson's pivotal third goal came on a tap-in after miscommunication on Cornell's defensive end.
 
Cornell trimmed the deficit to 3-2 on a long-range shot from Cian McNamara with only 1:45 left to play.
 
McNamara accounted for two of Cornell's six shots in the match. Lopez and George Archer each had a shot on goal.
 
The Storm fired 15 shots at Cornell goalkeeper Will Bickel, who recorded two saves in a complete-game effort. Simpson had 15 corner kick opportunities, while the Rams attempted one.  
 
Coming up – The Rams are on the road Wednesday for a 6 p.m. nonconference match against Rockford in Rockford, Ill.