Villanueva strikes first, Dutch men start with soccer victory

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA—On the same day he was named a team captain, senior Salvador Villanueva (senior, Morris, Ill.) started the scoring for the Central College men’s soccer team as it cruised to a 3-0 triumph over Monmouth College (Ill.) in the season opener Friday afternoon.

Villanueva has been a significant contributor for the Dutch (1-0) during his time at Central. But before Friday night’s contest, he was bestowed with the honor of being a team captain. It took just over nine minutes of game action before he scored his first goal as captain.

“We gave Sal the second captain’s arm band in the team meeting before the game” coach Garry Laidlaw said.” We said ‘you’ve earned it. You’re going to go out and lead us to a victory today.’ I’m really happy for him.”

Central added a pair of goals in the second half when a Miguel Pina (junior, Chicago, Taft HS) strike was followed up a Bryce Leonard (senior, Williamsville, Ill.) effort. Ian Meentemeyer (sophomore, Hartsburg, Mo., Southern Boone County HS) and Landon Daniels (sophomore, Webster City) were credited with the assists on those goals, respectively.

“I thought all three of our goals were taken well,” Laidlaw said.

Freshman goalkeeper Salvador Salado-Herrera (Minneapolis, Minn., Park Center HS) notched a clean slate, after needing just one save on eight shot attempts in 90 minutes.

“It’s not a bad way to start your college career,” Laidlaw said. “He didn’t have a ton of action, but he’s so good at organizing the backs and players in front of him that he’s not going to get as much action.”

Laidlaw used 29 players in the game, including seven freshman making career debuts.

“When given the opportunity, it’s about making the most of that opportunity and getting some of their feet wet,” Laidlaw said. “It’s not just token minutes, the young guys brought good energy.”

Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.) is the next team to visit Pella, traveling to play the Dutch on September 3 at 4 p.m.