Central men falter against nationally ranked side

PELLA- A short-handed Central College men’s soccer team fell 3-1 against St. Olaf College (Minn.), the No. 3 ranked team in Division III, in Tuesday’s season opener.

Starting the season without three of its top returning midfielders didn’t stop the Dutch (0-1) from scoring the game’s opening tally. Isaiah Guyton (sophomore, Davenport, Bettendorf) took a long pass from freshman Anthony Davis (freshman, Albertville, Minn., St. Michael-Albertville HS) and chipped it over the keeper to put the Dutch in front 1-0 16 minutes into the contest.

The Oles leveled the score at 1-1 just two minutes later after Central conceded an own goal. St. Olaf found the back of the net in the 63rd and 70th minute to give them its final line.

All-conference midfielders Teddy Apostolopoulos (junior, Pella) and Ian Gredell (junior, West Des Moines, Dowling Catholic HS) as well as honorable mention Cooper Collins (Clive, Waukee Northwest HS) were unavailable for Tuesday’s match, rendering the Dutch further inexperienced as 10 players made their debuts.

The Dutch were outshot 22-8, receiving six saves from goalkeeper Morgan Finkenbinder (junior, Elkhorn, Neb., Skutt Catholic HS).

Central hosts Augustana College (Ill.) at 5 p.m. Friday at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex.