Dutch Football Team Falls Short at Wartburg
A slow start cost the Central football team a 28-13 loss to Wartburg College heard live on 92.1 KRLS Saturday afternoon.
The #14 Dutch fell behind 21-0 before halftime, totaling just 106 yards of offense on 32 plays. The #7 Knights compiled 283 yards on 42 plays in the same time frame.
Central started to rally in the third quarter by scoring on three straight possessions. Andrew Mohan kicked a 42-yard field goal on the opening drive of the half, and after the defense forced a punt, Mohan added a 25-yard field goal. On the ensuing kickoff, a Wartburg player muffed a short kick and Kyle Norton jumped on it to give Central another possession. Jase Grunder capped the scoring drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown to make it an eight-point game. Central came up empty on three fourth quarter possessions while Wartburg added another touchdown to give the game its final score.
Dutch quarterback Hunter Hoffman finished with 252 passing yards, while completing 26 of his 46 passing attempts. Grunder was the leading receiver with nine receptions for 70 yards. Central’s offense took a hit when its leading receiver and scorer Cam Schulte suffered an injury in the second quarter and did not return. Left guard Evan Gaston also missed his first start of the season and did not play. Cornerback Ben DeMeulenaere led the team with 13 tackles, while linebacker Cole Clark added 11.
Central returns home next Saturday to host Buena Vista at 1 pm at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.
Wolford’s Brace Leads Central to Women’s Soccer Win
The first multi-goal game of Grace Wolford’s Central women’s soccer career highlighted the team’s 3-0 victory over Buena Vista Saturday.
Wolford got the scoring started for the Dutch in the 43rd minute, with assists from Kelley Duffy and Bailey Huizenga. Piper Eighmy scored her team-high eighth goal just 23 seconds into the second half, with Rylee Rustad being credited with an assist on the play. Wolford made it a brace with her second goal in the 84th minute, on an assist from Olivia DeVos. Goalkeeper Zoey Sizemore had her third shutout in the last four matches, making two saves.
Central hosts Loras College in the regular season finale on Tuesday at 2:30 pm. The Dutch have officially clinched a spot in the American Rivers Conference tournament, but their seed will not be determined until after the final matches Tuesday.
Dutch Men Get Fourth Conference Soccer Win
A second-half goal by Teddy Apostolopoulos pushed the Central men’s soccer team to a 2-1 win over Buena Vista on Saturday.
Central got the scoring started as Nate Lampe tallied his second goal of the season in the 21st minute. Buena Vista leveled with the Dutch before the end of the first half, but in the 71st minute, Apostolopoulos followed up a saved shot attempt by Zach Holtan to re-take the lead and give Central the win. Goalkeeper Morgan Finkenbinder had a pair of saves while withstanding eight shots.
Central closes out the regular season Tuesday at noon against Loras at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex Soccer Field.
Central Sweeps Luther in Conference Volleyball Contest
Making quick work of a long road trip, the Central volleyball team swept Luther in straight sets Saturday night, winning 25-19, 27-25, 25-19. Leslie Snow had a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs, leading the team in both categories. Snow also led the team with three service aces. Libero Colleen Kenney added 10 digs. Setter Landry Pacha paced the squad with 15 assists, with Makayla Ribble right behind her with 14 assists. Maelyn Wainwright and Sophia Folkerts each had two blocks. Central hosts Illinois College Tuesday at 6 pm.