Second-Half Rally for Dutch Football Team Leads to Victory

28 unanswered points in the second half pushed the Central College football team past the University of Dubuque Saturday for a 35-16 victory on Homecoming.

At the halftime break, Central (4-0, 2-0 American Rivers Conference) found itself in a 16-7 hole while being outgained by over 100 yards of total offense (265 to 141). The Dutch started fast in the second half with Aidan Pollock’s 38-yard kickoff return to the 48-yard line. Seven plays and 52 yards later, Quarterback Hunter Hoffman found wide receiver Nolan Meyer for a 13-yard passing score. Central would score on three of its remaining five drives of the second half while forcing four Dubuque turnovers and a pair of punts to keep the Spartans off the scoreboard and complete the 28-0 run. Dubuque had just 70 yards of offense in the second half.

In the second half, senior safety Derek Pacheco had a fumble recovery and an interception while senior cornerbacks Ben DeMeulenaere and Gavin Smith also had interceptions. DeMeulenaere had a team-high nine tackles and also blocked an extra point attempt. Smith added three pass break-ups. Hoffman finished with 20 completions on 30 pass attempts for 229 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. He also contributed 73 yards on the ground. Three of Hoffman’s touchdown passes went to wide receiver Cam Schulte, including two in the fourth quarter. Schulte finished with seven catches and 96 yards.

The Dutch travel to Loras College for a 1 pm game next Saturday.

Central Plays Dubuque to Scoreless Men’s Soccer Draw

The Central College men’s soccer team couldn’t find a goal in 0-0 draw against the University of Dubuque in the American Rivers Conference opener for both teams.

Central (4-2-3, 0-0-1 conference) outshot Dubuque by a 13-7 margin and put a pair of shots on frame but never found the goal it needed to continue its winning streak. Both of Central’s shots on goal, which came from Cooper Collins and Jackson Horst, came in the second half. The Dutch maintained possession for nearly 60% of the match, with 58% of that possession coming in the attacking half. In goal, Morgan Finkenbinder needed to make just one save to secure his fifth shutout of the season and third in a row.

Central plays Coe College next Saturday at 7:30 pm in Cedar Rapids.

Dubuque Hands Central Women’s Soccer Loss

The Central College women’s soccer team was even with the University of Dubuque on shot attempts and shots on goal but could not find the back of the net in a 2-0 loss Saturday afternoon. The Dutch (5-2-1) fell to the Spartans in the American Rivers Conference opener for both squads. Forwards Piper Eighmy and Olivia DeVos combined for three shots on goal and DeVos had another go off the post. The Dutch travel to Cedar Rapids next Saturday for a 5 pm match with Coe College.

Central Women’s Tennis Team Falls at Wartburg

A tough road swing continued for the Central College women’s tennis team as it lost a 5-2 match at Wartburg College Saturday morning.

Central (4-3, 3-3 American Rivers Conference) suffered its second loss of the weekend against the Knights, after falling at Luther on Friday. Jenna Mitsuko Mahoney got a singles win in the #1 slot for Central, winning 2-6, 6-4, 1-0. Emily Blom also secured a 6-2, 6-2 win in her #4 singles match. Wartburg took two out of three doubles matches to win the point but the #1 tandem of Lauren Gano and Emma Murphy won their match 6-3.

The Dutch are back on the road Tuesday for a 4 pm match against Grand View University in Des Moines.