PELLA — The verdict of a defensive slugfest between Central College and Simpson College was decided by a dramatic overtime strike from Aroni Niyikiza (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Washington) in a 1-0 Central triumph.

The Dutch (8-3-0 overall, 2-0-0 Iowa Conference) made their move towards the Storm (6-6-1, 1-2-0) net with one minute remaining.  Forward Miguel Pina (sophomore, Chicago, Ill., Taft HS) played the ball in to fellow striker Aroni Niyikiza (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Washington HS) who blasted home the winner.

"I saw Miguel play the ball and I thought I just had to finish it," Niyikiza said. "Coach said to hit it hard and it low and he guaranteed it'd go in. And it did."

"It was a fantastic finish" coach Garry Laidlaw said. "Aroni showed his quality there."

According to Laidlaw, the momentum really swung in favor of the Dutch when goalkeeper Josh Carpenter (senior, Chelsea, Ala.) made a diving save on a point blank shot just moments before Niyikiza's goal.

"When he made that save, I had a better feeling that we were going to win the game," Laidlaw said. "That may be one of the most important saves in his career and certainly in our season so far."

Lost in the frantic finish was the fact that Central picked up its sixth shutout of the season. Carpenter picked up six saves as the Storm were limited to just 17 shots.

"We were solid defensively," Laidlaw said. "We stuck to our plan and it worked."

All in all, Central used 20 players in the 100-minute affair, and all of them contributed to the team victory according to Laidlaw.

"It takes everybody," Laidlaw said. "So many players did the little things that helped keep us in the game. When Aroni finished it off, that was the reward for everybody."

Off to the program's best start in nearly a decade, Laidlaw says his team is still focused on the weeks to come.

"We know where we want to be and we aren't there, yet," he said. "I know we will enjoy this victory tonight, but we'll be back out there tomorrow focused and ready to go. It only gets tougher from here, but we're looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead."

The first challenge comes Saturday with a match against the defending Iowa Conference champions and 2015 NCAA Division III finalist Loras College in Dubuque. The match will start at 4:30 p.m. from the Rock Bowl on the Duhawks' campus.