Neu, Dutch Passing Attack Throttle Loras

The Central College football team broke out the passing offense and the defense forced five turnovers in a 45-7 drubbing of Loras College heard live on 92.1 KRLS on Saturday.

The Dutch (6-3, 4-3 American Rivers Conference) had 419 yards and five scores through the air against the Duhawks. Fifth-year receiver Ryan Neu was responsible for 174 yards and four touchdowns, matching a program record.

Quarterback Brady Ketchum threw for 376 yards while completing 23 of 37 passes with just one interception. Wide receiver Cam Schulte also had 117 yards receiving and one touchdown. Linebacker Reid Pakkebier was responsible for two turnovers in the second quarter. His strip sack on third down was recovered by Johnathan Weaver and returned 24 yards. A long pass to Schulte was followed with a three-yard scoring dive by running back Jase Grunder. Pakkebier then picked off a pass with just over a minute remaining in the half and set the Dutch offense up at its own 38-yard line. Eight plays later, Ketchum found Neu from 31 yards out to give Central a 28-7 lead going into the break.

In the third quarter, Gavin Smith snared his third interception of the year and the Dutch added a touchdown three plays later. Central recorded two more fumbles in the fourth quarter, including a muffed punt in the game’s final minutes. The muffed punt set up a special moment for fifth-year senior wide receiver Logan Mont, who took the victory formation snap at quarterback and took the kneel down, despite a season-ending injury in week one. Linebackers Cael Fiderlein and Cole Clark led the team with 13 and 12 tackles, respectively. Defensive end Nick Bandy added another 1.5 sacks to his season total, while Logan Sunvold added a 23-yard field.

The Dutch head into the bye week before playing their final game on Saturday, November 16th at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Central Women’s Soccer Advances in the American Rivers Conference Tournament

For the first time since 2016, the Central College women’s soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the American Rivers Conference tournament, as they defeated fourth-seeded Dubuque 2-1.

The Dutch (11-6-2, 3-3-2 American Rivers) opened the scoring in the 36th minute, when Abby Frey scored her sixth goal of the season on a free kick. Kelley Duffy extended the lead in the 59th minute, scoring her second goal of the season. Goalkeeper Zoey Sizemore collected seven saves in the win, as the Dutch captured their most victories since 2017 and avenged their last three tournament losses at Dubuque .

The Dutch will take on the #1 seed in the conference and #3 team in Division III Loras College in the semifinals Wednesday at 7 pm.

Central Men’s Soccer Hands Loras First Home Loss of the Season

For the first time in program history the Central College men’s soccer team won at Loras College, as the sixth-seeded Dutch upset third-seeded Loras 3-1 Saturday in the first round of the American Rivers Conference tournament.

Central (8-8-2, 3-4-1 American Rivers) started quickly, as Spencer Taylor scored his fifth goal of the season in the sixth minute of the match. After the Dukawks tied the match in the 17th minute, Joe Brown regained the lead for Central in the 40th minute with his third goal of the season on a corner kick from Alejo Marcon. Ian Gredell finished off the scoring in the 61st minute, adding his third goal of the season to solidify the win for the Dutch. Ronan Murphy collected seven saves to help propel Central in the conference tournament.

The Dutch move on to the semifinals of the A-R-C tournament and will travel to Waverly on Wednesday to take on second-seeded Wartburg College at 7 pm.

Parrott Makes History for Dutch Women’s Cross Country Squad

With her first-place finish at the 2024 American Rivers Conference Championships Saturday, Addison Parrott became the first Central College women’s cross country runner to win a league title.

Teammate Peyton Steffen crossed the line second to help the Dutch to a team runner-up finish. Wartburg College won the title with 41 points, 15 points ahead of Central. Parrott completed the 6,000-meter race in 21 minutes, 34.2 seconds, while Steffen finished in 22:03.4. Teah Miller gave Central a third all-conference performer, placing 14th in 23:14.6. Kira Hooper and Sara DeHaan completed the scoring for Central with a 21st and 22nd place finish, respectively. Hooper crossed at 23:40.0 and DeHaan was in at 23:41.8. Also finishing in Central’s varsity seven were Emma Rocha and Kaleena Hagen. Rocha placed 24th (23:49.8) and Hagen was 28th (23:59.4).

Central goes back to Rock Island, Illinois for the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional on Saturday, November 16th.

Dutch Men Battle to Get Fourth at League Cross Country Meet

Competing against both a talented field and teamwide sickness, the Central College men’s cross country placed fourth at the American Rivers Conference Championships Saturday.

The Dutch totaled 133 points, trailing Wartburg’s winning total of 15. Derek Webster led the Dutch in 21st place with a new career-fastest time of 25:17.3. Randy Jimenez was the next finisher in 27th (25:33.0), followed by Donovan Card in 38th (25:47.3). Freshmen Jack Every and Ben Every closed out the scoring for Central in 55th (26:13.3) and 77th (26:37.4). James Brant and Ben DeValk completed the varsity lineup in 85th (26:42.8) and 87th (26:46.9).

Central goes back to Rock Island, Illinois for the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional on Saturday, November 16.

Coe Hands Central Volleyball Senior Day Setback

Every set was tight, but the Central College volleyball team was defeated by Coe College 25-22, 25-18, 22-25, 25-22 Saturday in the final home match of the regular season.

Central (19-8, 4-3 American Rivers Conference) had big days offensively from Gracie Pierson and Paige Sexton with 14 and 13 kills, respectively. Makayla Ribble paced the Dutch with 22 set assists and 13 digs, recording her fifth double-double of the season. Pierson also had her sixth double-double with 13 digs. Ribble also had a team-high three service aces. Landry Pacha and Emma Wagler each notched two solo blocks.

The Dutch close out the regular season with a road trip to Buena Vista University next Thursday at 6 pm.