Augustana tops Central in soccer match

PELLA- Despite dominating the time of possession, the Central College men’s soccer team fell to Augustana College (Ill.) 4-1Wednsday.

Central (2-3-1) possessed the ball for 67% of the game, and was able to get 13 shots, with 4 of them being on goal.

“I think this game is living proof that having the ball isn’t enough in soccer,” coach Garry Laidlaw said. “We need to improve on both ends of the pitch, while maintaining our solid play in the middle.”

Augustana (3-1-1) was able to score two goals in a ten-minute span in the first half. It added on in the second half with a pair of goals on turnovers by Dutch defenders.

“I want to give credit to Augustana I thought they gave us a clinic in counter attacking,” said Laidlaw. “They were very efficient and punished us when on the counterattack.”

The Dutch got their goal from defender Alejo Marcon (junior, Resistencia, Argentina, Pella Christian HS) when he took advantage of a corner kick from Coleman Manuel (senior, Erie, Colo.) in the 75th minute.

“I appreciate the fact that we didn’t give up,” said Laidlaw. “I was pleased to get a goal back and I thought out guys kept fighting until the end of the game.”

The squad returns to the pitch when it hosts Greenville (Ill.) Saturday at 4 p.m. on the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex soccer field.