Fifth conference soccer victory for Dutch men
Central Dutch Athletics
STORM LAKE — A sensational month of October continued for the Central College men’s soccer team as the Dutch defeated Buena Vista University 1-0 for the team’s fifth straight win Wednesday night.
After going 3-5 in non-conference matches, Central (8-6-0, 5-1-0 conference) has excelled since entering the American Rivers Conference portion of the schedule.
Another valiant defensive effort resulted in Central’s fourth shutout in five games. Goalkeeper Salvador Salado-Herrera (sophomore, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Park Center HS) corralled four saves against the Beavers (1-13-1, 1-4-1 conference)
“Both Sal and the backs in front of him are playing exceptionally well right now,” coach Gary Laidlaw said. “They’re getting to be a more cohesive unit in every game.”
The game’s only goal was tallied by freshman Tristin Gilles (freshman, Hudson) in the 78th minute. Gilles also scored the game winner in last Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Dubuque.
“I’m really happy with what we are getting from Tristin right now,” Laidlaw said. “He’s still trying to figure out the college game, but he has a nose for goal.”
Laidlaw credited Ben Turnley (junior, midfielder, Manhattan, Kan.) and Aroni Niyikiza (senior, Cedar Rapids, Washington HS) with setting up the scoring strike.
“Ben took the shot that set up Tristin’s goal,” he said. “Aroni held that ball up and laid it off to Ben at the start of that play.”
Midfielder Daniel Alanis (senior, Phoenix, Ariz., Apollo HS) also drew praise from Laidlaw.
Daniel was tremendous in the middle,” he said. “I thought he really ran the game, especially in the second half. We took the territorial battle to them.”
With two conference games remaining, Central is tied for first in the conference standings with 15 points. Three teams are tied for third with 13 points.
“It’s obviously a logjam,” Laidlaw said. “We just want to be in the mix. That’s where we are at right now. We’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing.”
Luther College is one of the teams in the three-way tie and Central hosts them Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.
