With as many newcomers as returning players following a bountiful recruiting year, the Central College men’s soccer team is positioned to accelerate its recent ascent. Coach Garry Laidlaw did a program reboot following a disappointing 4-13 campaign in 2015 that left the Dutch mired in seventh place in what was then the Iowa Conference. But Central has racked up 30 wins in the past three seasons and reached last year’s American Rivers tournament semifinals. With 20 returning players, including 10 letterwinners, enlivened by the arrival of 20 freshmen, some highly regarded, the Dutch have proven performance as well as promise as they eye a loftier finish. Central got a beneficial head start during an extended spring training season. The Dutch traveled to England March 10-18 and played three matches while also getting 10 additional practices prior to the trip before launching into their traditional spring work. That gave Laidlaw an extra long look at returning players eyeing starting spots. Yet Laidlaw understands the challenge of incorporating the hefty influx of talent from one of the largest classes in program history with the returning veterans. Six starters return from last year’s 9-9 squad but there were some significant graduation losses, notably second-team all-region forward Miguel Pina, the program’s only ever 3x Team MVP. Central’s men’s soccer team opens the season on August 30th at home against Iowa Wesleyan.