Turnley header seals Dutch men’s soccer victory

PELLA — In the 74th minute of Saturday’s game, senior midfielder Ben Turnley (Manhattan, Kan.) notched the game-winning goal as the Central College men’s soccer team bested Monmouth College (Ill.) 3-1.

The Scots (4-3) had pulled even at 1-1 with the Dutch (8-0-1) 72nd minute tally. Nathan Casas (sophomore, midfielder, Cottage Grove, Minn., East Ridge HS) put the ball into Turnley off a corner for him to tuck away the go-ahead effort.

“Ben was the man of the match for us today,” coach Garry Laidlaw said. “He’s really having a good season. He normally brings good energy off the bench but he started today.”

Both of Central’s leading scorers, midfielder Matthew West (freshman, Pleasant Hill, Southeast Polk HS) and forward Charlie Pritchard (freshman, Ankeny) found the back of the net against the Scots. West leads the team with six goals while Pritchard has four goals and four assists. Pritchard had the assist on West’s goal.

“Charlie’s goal was beautiful,” Laidlaw said. “He hit a shot right into the upper left corner from about 12-13 yards out. It was a blast.

“Matthew keeps finding himself in the right spots. He’s had a nose for the goal. Charlie, Matthew and Nathan are having a really good connection up front right now.”

Fellow freshman midfielder Nick Ashton (Ankeny, Centennial HS) assisted on Pritchard’s goal.

Goalkeeper Andrew Mathys (senior, Elburn, Ill., Kaneland HS) secured five saves and withstood 13 shot attempts by Monmouth.

The only non-conference match remaining on the schedule is Tuesday at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. The 4 p.m. match is the third for Central in Minnesota this season.

“It will be possibly the most challenging match we’ve had, so we’re ending with a good one,” Laidlaw said. “They’re an excellent team with a great history. We expect it will be a great match.”