Men's soccer

  • 133-67-13 (.654) record since 2001
  • 2012 Iowa Conference tournament finalist
  • New game field in 2005
  • 11 consecutive Iowa Conference tournament appearances

McKenzie lifts Central men's soccer team in OT

Men's soccer | Sept. 12, 2010

MOORHEAD, MINN.—Last year’s lessons may be paying dividends for the Central College men’s soccer team.

In a 9-10 season, the Dutch sustained nine one-goal defeats, including five in overtime. But after a lackluster first half on the end of a long road trip Sunday, Central (3-1) rebounded to score a 2-1 overtime win at Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) (3-2).

Dutch scoring leader Brett McKenzie (senior, Lindenhurst, Ill., Antioch HS) tied the score in the 67th minute, then delivered the game-winner 4:51 into overtime. McKenzie has four goals in the season’s first four games. Midfielder Leland Schipper (junior, Ankeny) assisted on the first goal while midfielder Nick DeLucia (senior, Urbana, Ill.) made the pass on the winner.

“We talked in the preseason that we had gained a lot of experience last year that would serve us well this year,” coach Garry Laidlaw said. “That’s certainly proven true so far.”

Laidlaw was disappointed in his team’s start but thrilled with the victory.

“This was a real character-building win for us,” he said. “We’ve talked about getting a great result when we’re not at our best. Today was one of those days. Credit Concordia for coming out hard but I was very unhappy with how we played the first half.

“But I was just so pleased with how we played in the second half and in the overtime. We got our mental focus back that we lacked in the first half. Once again, it was leadership that made the difference.”

Central outshot the Cobbers 19-7, with a 4-0 advantage in overtime. Dutch goalkeeper Tim Maggard (freshman, Torrance, Calif., South Torrance HS) had two saves.

Central makes a quick turnaround after the lengthy return to Pella, playing host to Monmouth (Ill.) Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex field. The Dutch topped Monmouth 1-0 on the road last year to take a 6-5-1 advantage in the all-time series. The Scots are 1-4, recording a 4-3 victory over Cornell Saturday.

 

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