Central Pushes Loras in Women’s Soccer Loss

The Central College women’s soccer squad stymied the American Rivers Conference champion Loras College side for much of Tuesday’s match but a couple of late tallies felled the Dutch in a 3-1 loss.

The Duhawks (15-1-0, 8-0-0 conference), who are also ranked No. 23 in Division III, struck first with a goal just past the 16-minute mark. Central (9-4-4, 8-0-0 conference) equalized early in the second half as Josie Newton scored her first collegiate goal in the 62nd minute. Newton’s strike was just the second goal Loras has conceded in conference play, and the fourth overall on the season. The Duhawks took control of the game with a pair of goals in the 77th minute and took the game to its final margin of 3-1.

With Tuesday’s results, Central is the five-seed in the American Rivers Conference postseason tournament and will play at the University of Dubuque on Saturday.

Dutch Men Tripped Up Late in Soccer Loss

After taking the lead 25 minutes into the match, the Central College men’s soccer could not hang on to the decision as Loras College rallied late to win 2-1 Tuesday afternoon.

The loss eliminated the Dutch (7-8-2, 3-5-0 conference) from American Rivers Conference tournament contention and ended their 2023 season. Nolan Piedimonte bagged his fourth goal in conference matches and his team-high seventh of the season off a Carter Newhouse assist to give Central a 1-0 lead in the first half. A converted penalty kick leveled the contest in the 68th minute before a long volley put the Duhawks up for good in the 88th minute. Goalkeeper Ronan Murphy made five saves in his second consecutive start in place of the injured John Foster.

The Dutch end the season with an 7-8-2 overall record and a 3-5 record in the American Rivers Conference. Central will graduate just one senior from Tuesday’s starting lineup.