Optimism abounds for Central men’s soccer squad

PELLA—A successful spring campaign which included a trip to the United Kingdom has the Central College men’s soccer team trending in a positive direction entering 2023.

Central’s record of 3-11-2 (2-5-1 American Rivers Conference) was a result of playing one of the region’s most difficult schedules. The team’s eight non-conference opponents finished with a combined .612 winning percentage and five won at least 10 matches. Three opponents made the NCAA Division III tournament field. A rash of injuries also made an already young team even more inexperienced. Despite the record, the vibes were still for the Dutch in the spring.

“Our team spirit this past spring was phenomenal,” coach Garry Laidlaw said. “We couldn’t be more excited about the progress we made. We feel good about the work the guys have put in and the attitude they seem to be displaying as we move into the season.”

The team took advantage of its spring break trip to Scotland and England and the extra non-traditional training sessions that came with it and the coaching staff feel good about the the progress of the team.”

“We feel like we have gotten a pretty good start on how we want to play in the fall,” Laidlaw said. “In the last couple of seasons, we’ve been starting from scratch in the fall so I think that’s a big difference this year.

Central’s non-conference schedule includes five opponents the Dutch haven’t played in the last five years and two first-time opponents in Greenville College (Ill.) and Eureka College (Ill.). Greenville won the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2022.

“It’ll be good to play something different,” Laidlaw said. “Those teams will provide great opposition, but they will still be fresh opponents.”

The American Rivers Conference has seen four different programs win a league title since 2017, including Central in 2019. The league will be as deep as ever this year according to Laidlaw.

“It’s always hard to say who is going to be the best coming in because everybody has new players and there will be a lot fifth-year players still this year,” Laidlaw said. “By the time we get to the conference matches, everybody in the league will have a good idea of what the other teams are.”

Goalkeeper

A three-time honorable mention to the American Rivers All-Conference team, John Foster (senior, Lee’s Summit, Mo., North HS) has started 37 games in his career and notched 200 saves.

“John has been a fantastic player for us for three years,” Laidlaw said. “He’s excellent with his feet which is so important in today’s game. We’re excited to have him lead the team as a senior leader and captain.”

Alex Miller (junior, Aurora, Ill., Waubonsie Valley HS) was in goal for the Dutch during its trip to Europe in the spring and has spent time with the reserve team. Transfer Ronan Murphy (junior, Des Moines, Roosevelt HS) will also be in the mix.

“Alex had a great opportunity after John didn’t travel with us,” Laidlaw said. “He played every minute of every match and it was a valuable experience to give us an idea of where he is with his development. We think Ronan is a very solid addition to the goalkeeper group as well.”

Defender

The defensive backline battled through inexperience and injuries in 2022 but has developed into an area of depth for the Dutch in 2023. The unit returns all but one starter and is anchored by last year’s Most Valuable Newcomer honoree Spencer Taylor (sophomore, Norwalk) as its right center back.

“We feel like we’re gaining some continuity there,” Laidlaw said. “Spencer was chseon for that that honor by a vote of his teammates. The partnerships he’s building are going to serve us well for awhile.”

Alongside Taylor in the center, Central platooned senior Nathan Kuhlman (senior, Lee’s Summit, Mo., North HS) and sophomore Alejo Marcon (Resistencia, Argentina, Pella Christian HS) for much of the spring and both are vying for their minutes.

“We think both of them can be solid contributors,” Laidlaw said. “We’re glad to have more depth there.”

On the outside, Lucas Bartachek (junior, Waukee) and Trysten Vasquez (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) bring starting experience. Injuries limited Bartachek to 10 appearances in 2022 but he started 11 matches as a freshman in 2021. Vasquez started 15 times as a left center back in 2022.

“Lucas made a strong case for himself in the spring,” Laidlaw said. “He was one of our best players all spring. Trysten has the versatility to play as a true left back with his size, range, and recovery speed.”

Matthew Neuhalfen (senior, Glenwood) has been plagued by injuries throughout his college career, making just eight appearances in three years but Laidlaw believes a healthy version of Neuhalfen can make an impact.

“He did well in the spring game, Laidlaw said. “We are optimistic he could do a job for us in the middle as either a center back or a defensive center midfielder.”

Senior Mitchel Benhart (Geneseo, Ill.) has had limited varsity action but can impact the team outside of games.

“He really sets the tone for us in training and games,” Laidlaw said. “We see a role for him on the team. He has the versatility to play in the center or slide to the right side.”

Davis Hovey (sophomore, Littleton, Colo., Columbine HS) made the most of his freshman year as a member of the reserve team and continued to build momentum with his spring season.

“He was one of our most improved players from the fall season into the spring,” Laidlaw said. “He just needs more time and experience, we think he is getting closer.”

Samuel Zook (junior, Phoenix, Ariz., Veritas Preparatory Academy), Breyton Schwenker (sophomore, Newton), Josue Torres (sophomore, Osceola, Clarke HS) and Ryan Anhalt (sophomore, Oswego) are also returners and add depth to the back line.

Midfield

Gabe Wilson (senior, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) and Kosuke Takahashi (senior, Kisarazu City, Japan, Gyosei International) were ships in the night on the pitch much of the fall campaign due to injuries. Seeing them play together this spring has Laidlaw optimistic about the center part of the park.

“We thought they complemented each other and combined well,” he said. “We’re excited to see what those two players can bring in the engine room.”

Fellow senior Solomon Mamola (Urbandale) is ready for an expanded role once again in 2023.

“Solomon has come on in leaps and bounds of every year,” Laidlaw said. “He was possibly our most consistent performer throughout the spring and the Europe trip. He’s going to give us a creative presence and can find a penetrating pass or finish when he’s given an opportunity.”

Juniors Evan Hackett (Tempe, Arizona, Tempe Preparatory Academy) and Nick Colavita (Scottsdale, Ariz., Desert Mountain HS) give the Dutch coaching staff even more offensive options.

“They provide more of an attacking presence,” Laidlaw said. “Nick with his quickness and creativity and Evan with his non-stop work rate. They’ve been pushing their noses in for the last year, and this will be an important year for them to take that final step.”

Sam McClintock (sophomore, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS), Devn Rinehart (sophomore, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) and Tyler Carber (sophomore, Davenport, Assumption HS) played on the reserve team last year and will keep working towards a greater role with the varsity team.

Forwards

Joe Brown (junior, Waukee) was shifted from the back up to the forward spot during last season and chipped in three goals during the conference season. With a full year of training towards the offense, Brown’s ceiling has increased.

“When we first moved him up front, you could see an immediate presence,” Laidlaw said. “For such a tall player, he’s got good feet and good ideas. We want him to continue to hone in on the finishing aspect but he’s getting himself into good positions. He scored goals in Europe and in our spring scrimmage.”

Junior Coleman Manuel (Erie, Colo.) also added a trio of goals last season, including a goal each in the final two conference games of the season.

“Coleman likes to drop back into the midfield a little bit more and connect with that midfield line,” Laidlaw said. “He gives us that variance in our attack.”

Freshmen Derek Beiner (Newton) and Caleb Gymer (Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) both had solid freshman campaigns and have strong potential.

“Derek learned a lot last year,” Laidlaw said. “He made some mistakes you would expect from a freshman. But he also was a game changer and was the most impressive player on the pitch at times. Caleb showed potential before he got hurt. He’s process will be slowed a little by the injury but we think he can still help us this year.”

Senior Simon Baker (Blue Mounds, Wis., Mount Horeb HS) is another option as well.

Freshmen

There will be 14 new freshmen on this year’s team which will address depth in a variety of areas on the pitch.

“If we can get the new players on board with what we accomplished in the spring and the progress we made, I think it can all come together for a successful season,” Laidlaw said.

Central’s first game is Saturday, September 2 at 5 p.m. in Fulton, Missouri against Westminster College (Mo.)