Leonard leads Dutch men to soccer victory

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA— A two-goal performance by midfielder Bryce Leonard (senior, Williamsville, Ill.) was more than enough offense for the Central College men’s soccer team amidst a fourth-straight shutout victory to open the year, topping Principia College 3-0 Friday night.

The scoreless streak for Central’s (4-0) opponents now sits at 360 minutes after the Panthers (1-5) failed to score or put a shot attempt on frame.” Salavador Salado-Herrera (freshman, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Park Center HS) earned his third shutout.

“We’re really pleased to get another clean sheet,” coach Garry Laidlaw said.

On the other side, Central launched 20 shots with nine on goal.

“Credit to Principia,” Laidlaw said. “They had a good game plan and stuck it. They were a very well-organized team defensively.”

Leonard scored first at the 42:15 mark, just before halftime. He added the game’s finally tally in the 83rd minute. Midfielders Seth Signs (senior, Grinnell) and Trevor Ruiz (senior, Hudson) assisted on the scoring efforts.

Salvador Villanueva (senior, Morris, Ill.) added his third goal of the season near the start of the second half, a period of time that really stood out to Laidlaw. Defender Kiel Pederson (junior, Arlington Heights, Ill., John Hersey HS) recorded the assist.

“The first 10-12 minutes of the second half were some of the best we’ve played in a long time,” he said. “We came out on a mission had purpose.

“That second goal really allowed us to settle in for the rest of the game.”

The two-game road swing against the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference continues against Westminster College Saturday in Fulton, Missouri at 4 p.m. The Blue Jays defeated the Dutch 3-1 in Pella last season.