Central men’s soccer team hands Loras first home loss of the season
DUBUQUE- For the first time in program history the Central College men’s soccer team won at Loras College.
The No. 6 seed Dutch upset the No. 3 seed Loras 3-1 Saturday in the first round of the American Rivers Conference tournament.
Central (8-8-2, 3-4-1 American Rivers) started quick when Spencer Taylor (junior, Norwalk) scored his fifth goal of the season in the sixth minute of the match.
“I am really happy four our guys,” said coach Garry Laidlaw. “This was a special win. Loras is a strong side and its record at home over the years is impressive. It took a complete team effort from start to finish to earn this victory.”
After the Dukawks (9-5-7, 5-1-2 American Rivers) tied the match in the 17th minute, Joe Brown (senior, Norwalk) would regain the lead for Central in the 40th minute, scoring his third goal of the season. The goal came off a corner kick from Alejo Marcon (junior, Resistencia, Argentina, Pella Christian HS).
“Brown and Taylor got the job done at both ends and helped us get over the line,” Laidlaw said.
Ian Gredell (freshman, West Des Moines, Dowling Catholic) would finish off the scoring in the 61st minute, when he scored his third goal of the season.
“We traveled here with half of our squad being freshman,” said Laidlaw. “They gained some valuable experience in what it takes to win in this league.”
Ronan Murphy (senior, Des Moines, Roosevelt) collected seven saves.
“It was another standout performance from Murphy,” Laidlaw said.
The Dutch move on to the semifinals of the A-R-C tournament and will travel to Waverly on Wednesday to take on the No. 2 seed Wartburg College at 7 p.m.
