Dutch Win Men’s Soccer Opener Decisively

The beginning of both halves was kind to the Central College men’s soccer team in a 4-0 season-opening win over Westminster College (Mo.) Thursday afternoon.

Central (1-0-0) struck first at the 10:33 mark as Coleman Manuel slipped one into the net. Matthew West made it 2-0 five minutes later with a penalty kick. Barely a minute into the second half, Joe Brown scored off a Nathan Casas corner kick for a 3-0 advantage. Jake Dzarnowski gave the game it’s final tally at 51:30. Brown and Casas assisted on Manuel’s goal and Manuel assisted on Dzarnowski’s goal. In addition to his two assists, Casas had two of his three shot attempts saved. Defensively, Central only allowed one shot attempt to give John Foster a shutout in goal.                                                                                        

Central has a pair of games in Minnesota over the Labor Day weekend, starting at Augsburg University (Minn.) in Minneapolis at 7 p.m. on Saturday night.

Central women come up short on soccer pitch

Yielding a goal in the first 90 seconds of the match was too much for the Central College women’s soccer team to overcome in a 2-1 loss Thursday afternoon against Augustana College (Ill.)

The Vikings hit a shot off the crossbar and then regathered it for a goal at the 1:24 mark. They added a second tally on a penalty kick in the 75th minute. Statistically, Central outshot its opponents 17-6, putting 10 shots on frame. Central earned eight corner kicks and Augustana only attempted one. Central did get a goal late, as Rachel Daniels gathered a ball in the box off a Paige Cahill assist at the 86:36 mark.

Central is headed to Indiana and Michigan this weekend for a pair of matches. Central starts with St. Mary’s (Ind.) at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Hope College (Mich.) on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Central Withdraws from Volleyball Tourney

The Central College volleyball team has canceled its matches in the Central-Grinnell Invitational Friday and Saturday due to health and safety reasons, according to athletics director Eric Van Kley.

The Dutch were among eight schools slated to compete on two courts in P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium Friday and Saturday, with several teams also playing at Grinnell College both days. The tournament will continue with a revised schedule. Matches will be played at Central Friday only with all other tourney matches played at Grinnell. A revised schedule will be released soon by Grinnell College.

Central is now set to open its 2022 season with a non-conference home match Wednesday against Augustana College (Ill.) at 6 p.m.