Pina receives Scholar all-America soccer selection

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA — For the first time in program history, a Central College men’s soccer player has been named a United Soccer Coaches Division III Scholar All-America as senior Miguel Pina (senior, forward, Chicago, Ill., Taft HS) was announced as a third team selection Monday afternoon.

In order to be eligible, a student-athlete must have a 3.30 or better cumulative grade point average, start more than 50 percent of all games and be a significant contributor to the team. Pina is double majoring in exercise science and Spanish, while maintaining a 3.41 GPA.

Pina was previously selected as a second team honoree to the United Soccer Coaches Division III Scholar All-North/Central Region team. He was also named to the United Soccer Coaches Division III All-North Region second team.

Scoring seven of the team’s 23 goals, Pina was the top striker for the Dutch men. He also added a team-high four assists. He had two game-winning goals in 2018, including a penalty kick to beat Wartburg 1-0 on September 29. Pina has twice been named to the all-American Rivers Conference first team (2018, 2017) and the second team once (2016).

Central finished the season 9-9-0 overall and 5-3 in conference play.