Dutch Close Out Doubles at Women’s Tennis Regional

The Central College women’s tennis team had a pair of doubles team in action at the ITA Division III Midwest Regional Saturday.

Alex Griggs and Jenna Hernandez were defeated 8-3 in their first-round match by a team from Concordia University – Moorhead (Minn.). They bowed out against a team from St. Mary’s (Minn.) 8-5 in the consolation. Madi Whalen and Jennifer Larson dropped an 8-1 match against a team from Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.)  in their first match and were eliminated 8-1 by a Luther team in the consolation rounds.

The Dutch travel to Truman State University (Mo.) Wednesday for a dual match in Kirksville, Missouri at 4 p.m.

Central Men Close Out Conference Tennis Meet

The Central College men’s tennis team wrapped up its weekend at the American Rivers Conference Individual Championships Saturday with a pair of quarterfinalists in the C-Flight singles bracket.

Central advanced a pair of individuals to the C-Flight singles quarterfinals. Carter Corn and Lucas Vroom each won their first two matches of the weekend before bowing out Saturday afternoon. Vroom beat Ashley Stapley of Wartburg College 8-2 and Zachary Ambrose of Simpson College 8-1. Corn defeated Alexander Hardin of the University of Dubuque 8-2 and Declan Schuessler of Wartburg 8-2.

A handful of Dutch men will play at the ITA Division III Midwest Regional next weekend in Saint Peter, Minnesota.

Central Women’s Golf Team Takes Nebraska Tourney Title

Central College put four players in the top 10 and claimed the title at the eight-team Nebraska Wesleyan University Fall Invitational women’s golf tournament for the second year in a row.

Despite high winds, the Dutch lowered their score, finishing at 321-309–630 on the par-72 Mahoney Golf Course, while the other contenders struggled. Mount Marty College (S.D.) followed at 328-331–659.

Delaney Underwood placed third with 78-75—153 trailing medalist Madi Schlaepfer of Iowa Western Community College who shot 75-75—150.  Thea Lunning was fifth at 82-74—156, Madison Clark was ninth at 80-80—160 and Rachel Sohn, in her first varsity appearance, won a tiebreaker for 10th with 81-81—162. Mackenzie Biggs had 85-80—165. Sohn had tied at-large entrant Peyton Bytnar, who also shot 81-81—162. Avery Woods had 84-83–167 and Parker Stout shot 85-83—168.

Central is off until Oct. 8-10 when the 54-hole American Rivers Championships are staged at the par-72 Ames Country Club, with a 10 a.m. start time each day. Central has won 10 conference titles, most recently taking the crown in 2018.  

Dutch Women’s Soccer Team Freys the Pioneers

An assist and a goal from midfielder Abby Frey powered the Central College women’s soccer team to a 2-0 win over the University of Wisconsin – Platteville Saturday afternoon.

Central (6-2-1) continued its roll through September by winning its fifth-straight match with the decision over the Pioneers (6-2-1). The Dutch tied the school record in the process with its fifth consecutive shutout with Sheila Horstmann in goal. Amber Santana celebrated her birthday by scoring her fourth goal of the season in the 20th minute. Frey assisted the scoring strike via a corner kick. Frey added a goal of her own in the 84th minute off a loose ball after Rachel Daniels made a run down the right side and put the ball into the box. The offensive pressure by the Dutch all game enabled the team to set a school record with 19 corner kicks.

The Dutch start American Rivers Conference action next Saturday at the University of Dubuque for a 3:30 p.m. match.

Wis.-Platteville Edges Central Men’s Soccer Squad

Another low-scoring affair for the Central College men’s soccer team ended in a 1-0 loss against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Saturday afternoon.

The Dutch (1-5-1) outshot the Pioneers (5-2-1) 8-7 and the teams were equal on shots on goal at 4-4 but Central could not find an equalizing goal in the second half. Defender Trysten Vasquez had two shots on frame for the Dutch, including one in the final three minutes that hit the outstretched hands of the goalie and nearly over them. Jake Dzarnowski and Lucas Bartachek also had one shot on goal each

Central closes out its non-conference slate at Cornell College Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.

Dutch Fourth at Millikin Triathlon Meet

Competing in its largest meet of the season, the Central College women’s triathlon team took fourth in a nine-team event hosted by Millikin University (Ill.) Saturday morning. The Dutch totaled 113 points, trailing the champions of North Central College (Ill.) by 60 points.                                                   

The meet was held at regulation sprint triathlon distances of a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer bike and a five-kilometer run. The best four entries from each team compile the team score. It was also the first draft-legal competition, meaning no restrictions on the distance between competitors. Central’s top finisher was Grace Benson in 1:14.36, taking ninth in the 46-athlete field. Lindsey Blommers trailed closed behind at 1:14.54 in 11th. Jessica Carithers placed 25th in a time of 1:21.54. Luci Laidlaw was 34th in 1:26.59 and Grace Parrish was 46th in 1:44.19

Next on the triathlon schedule is a trip to the West Regional Qualifier in Stockton, Missouri on October 15.