REDDING, Calif. - The Simpson University Red Hawks find themselves in a precarious position, at the bottom of the California Pacific Conference with just one game to go. 

A 3-0 loss to the Stanton University Elks doesn't help their cause, as they scoreboard watch tomorrow as they get ready to take on Westcliff in its home finale. 

The Elks were in charge for most of the first half, but a disallowed goal for an offside and a stern Simpson defence thwarted any chance of Stanton scoring. Jacopo Trolese put together an immaculate display of goalkeeping as he amassed six saves in the first half. 

In the second half, the Elks came out firing as they scored in the 48th minute. Trolese was unable to pry the ball out of Francesco De Marco's feet, who swiftly put it into the back of the net. 1-0, Elks. 

Simpson could not put much pressure on Stanton, with their main attacking threat coming from high balls toward Dylan Sides.  

After a spell of end-to-end football, a pinpoint through ball toward Stanton's Lorenzo Jacon left him one-on-one with Trolese, whom he cheekily chipped in for Stanton's 2nd goal. 2-0, Elks. 

The Elks continued to put the pressure on Trolese as a costly foul in the box set up a Stanton penalty kick.

De Marco stepped up to take it and chipped it into the bottom right corner, with Trolese diving left. 3-0, Elks. 

Stanton had a total of six shots to find the back of the net, with three of them being disallowed for fouls in the build-up or offside. They improve to 7-1 in Conference play and clinch the regular-season title in just their first year in the California Pacific Conference. 

Simpson's conference playoff hopes rest on its last game on Saturday against Westcliff and Cal Maritime's final game against Pacific Union College (PUC) tomorrow. 

A win or tie would guarantee Simpson a playoff spot, whereas a loss would leave them relying on PUC to hold Cal Maritime to a tie or loss. 
 

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