Erik Johnson Sept. 25, 2008

Central opens league season with rout

PELLA—A Central College victory was never in doubt as the men’s soccer team cruised its way to an 8-0 victory over Iowa Conference opponent Cornell College Thursday. The Dutch wasted no time in getting out to the lead as midfielder Cody Jandik (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Valley Christian) scored an unassisted goal in the 4th minute. Nick DeLucia (sophomore, Urbana, Ill.) tallied an assist one minute later on midfielder Kenny Kranz’s (freshman, Champaign, Ill., Centennial) first goal of the season.

“One of our main objectives was to come out and get out to a good start in the game,” said Central coach Garry Laidlaw. “We finished our chances well, and we met our objective for the day.”

Four more first-half goals from defender Scott Erie (senior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy)via penalty kick, forward Eric Shelton (freshman, Appleton, Wis., Kimberly), forward Derek Farnworth (sophomore, Mooresville, Ind.) and an own goal by Cornell gave the Dutch a 6-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Shelton added another goal, and recorded an assist on a Mark Feld (sophomore, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar) goal.

Dutch goalkeepers Greg Foote (senior, Maple Grove, Minn.), Quincy Garner (sophomore, Pella) and Jonathan Glassman (freshman, Lakeville, Minn., North) combined for four saves in the shutout.

With a victory in their conference opener, the biggest challenges still lay ahead for the Dutch.

“It only gets tougher from here,” Laidlaw said. “We’ve been looking forward to this conference schedule for some time. We’re ready and playing well, and the guys have got this in the right perspective.”

But first for the Dutch (6-3 overall, 1-0 conference) is a trip north on Sunday to take on St. John’s University (Minn.) at 2 p.m. before playing seven straight conference games. Last season Central lost to St. John’s (4-4) 2-1 in its second game of the season.