North Central outshoots Central men’s soccer team

Central College

NAPERVILLE, ILL. — The play was even but North Central’s shots were more accurate as the Central College men’s soccer team was defeated 2-0 Saturday.

North Central (3-1), which has been regionally ranked, held a 14-10 shot advantage and converted in the 29th minute and the 74th. The Cardinals led in shots on goal, 8-2, although the Dutch (1-4) had two shots hit the crossbar and led in corner kicks, 6-3.

“I thought it was one of the better efforts we’ve made all season,” coach Garry Laidlaw said. “The game shaded towards North Central in the first half but I thought we took the game to them in the second. Other than the two goals, not much separated the two teams.”

Goalkeeper Austin Little (sophomore, Des Moines, Lincoln HS) made five saves and Connor Ginder (sophomore, Medford, Ore., North Medford HS) made one save in playing the final 13 minutes.

“It was a scrappy game,” Laidlaw said. “It was our first time on (Field Turf) all year and we were probably fighting balls a little bit because of the turf. That’s to be expected. There were a lot of long balls and the pace of the game was frenetic.”

While the record isn’t favorable, Laidlaw thinks the Dutch are making strides as they head into an 11-day break before tackling Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, Neb. Sept. 16 at 4 p.m.

“I think after five games, the younger guys are starting to understand the college game,” he said. “You can slowly see that it’s coming. We’ll continue to tweak the lineup until we get where we need to be.”