Heads-up plays by Shrum key to Central men’s soccer victory
Central Dutch Athletics
PELLA— The noggin of junior Addison Shrum (Altoona Southeast Polk HS) stole the show as the Central College men’s soccer team throttled past Bethany Lutheran College 7-0.
In a span of less than 10 minutes in the first half, Shrum converted on three set pieces, the final with his head. It was the first time the transfer had scored in a Central uniform.
“Some players just have a knack in and around the box,” coach Garry Laidlaw said. “Even though he’s a midfielder and a back for us, we pushed him up on some of those sets because he’s just hungry in there. He has that natural ability to find space and jump on a ball.”
Shrum was assisted by Bryce Leonard (senior, Williamsville, Ill.), Logan Sebousek (freshman, Cedar Rapids, Prairie HS) and Logan Hoefer (junior, Bellevue, Neb., East HS), respectively.
The first half scoring blitz started with a Salvador Villaneuva (senior, Morris, Ill.) goal for the second game in a row. He converted an assist from Miguel Pina (senior, Chicago, Ill., Taft HS) just under six minutes into the match.
“Sal always plays with intensity,” Laidlaw said. “I thought his goal was pretty today. He took a bit of pace off the ball and touched it in for a good finish.”
Kiel Pederson (junior, Arlington Heights, Ill., John Hersey HS) added the second tally of the first half with his head, using a ball served from Taylor Petkovich (sophomore, Littleton, Colo., Heritage HS) at nearly midfield.
Salvador Salado-Herrera (freshman, Minneapolis, Minn., Park Center HS) played the first 70 minutes in goal before Andrew Mathys (sophomore, Elburn, Ill., Kaneland HS) took over and maintained the shutout.
“Andrew was solid,” Laidlaw said. “He dealt with a few shots. He puts in just as much work in training and we want to reward him with a chance to play.”
Ian Meentemyer (sophomore, Hartsburg, Mo., Southern Boone County HS) and Andrew Benhart (freshman, Geneseo, Ill.) added tallies in the second half to close the scoring at 7-0. Shrum added an assist on Meentemeyer’s effort.
“We’re finding Andrew is a bit of natural-born striker,” Laidlaw said. “I think he’s still a little raw in some areas, but what a great project to mold. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
A third consecutive home contest to open the year brings Cornell College to town on Wednesday at 5 p.m. for a meeting between the two former Iowa Conference foes.
