Resilient Central squad nets men’s soccer win

FULTON, MO.— The final swing of a back-and-forth match went in favor of the Central College men’s soccer team in a 3-2 win Saturday night.

The Dutch (4-0-0) twice rallied from a one-goal deficit in the first half against the Blue Jays (0-3-0) and took the lead for good on a Charlie Pritchard (freshman, forward, Ankeny) goal in the 82nd minute.

“I thought we showed a really good level of resiliency,” coach Garry Laidlaw said. “That was the most adversity we’ve faced so far this year. I’m really happy to see us be able to do that on the road.”

Taylor Petkovich (senior, defender, Littleton, Colo., Heritage HS) was credited with the assist on the game-winning goal, his third assist of the year.

“Charlie took his goal really well,” Laidlaw said. “It was a nice serve in from Taylor. Obviously, we really needed a goal at that point in the game.

Ian Meentemeyer (senior, Hartsburg, Mo., Southern Boone County HS) has been hampered by an injury this season but he found his first goal of the season in the 25th minute off a Jake Dzarnowski (sophomore, midfielder, Wheaton, Ill., North HS) assist.

“We’re playing back near his hometown, so this game always has special meaning for Ian,” Laidlaw said. “It was great to see him tuck one away today.”

Zach Worster (sophomore, midfielder, Saint Peters, Mo., St. Dominic HS) had Central’s first goal in the 19th minute. He had an assist from Brant Mueller (sophomore, defender, Bettendorf).

Central and Cornell College will rekindle an old conference rival when the Rams come to Pella on Tuesday for a 4:30 p.m. match.

“Cornell had a great season last year and we expect they’ll be ready and organized again,” Laidlaw said. “We’re just excited to keep this thing going.”