STORM LAKE — An equalizer in the 80th minute set up the game-winning goal in overtime for defender Brant Mueller (junior, Bettendorf) in the Central College men's soccer team's 2-1 win over Buena Vista University Wednesday night.
           
The Dutch (3-3-1, 3-3-1 American Rivers Conference) gave up a goal to the Beavers (0-7-0, 0-7-0 conference) just 29 seconds into the match and had to play from behind nearly the rest of the match.

"They got on us early and it gave them something to play for and something to hang on to," coach Garry Laidlaw said. "They worked extremely hard to hold us out. It took everything in our power to come back."
           
Alec Lank (sophomore, forward, Bettendorf) found the equalizer in the 80th minute to give the team hope.

"We had to start playing a little more direct," Laidlaw said. "We put Alec up there because he plays aggressive and is a bigger body. The ball was played over the top and Brant angled it into the path of Alec's run and Alec did the rest."
           
Mueller put away the game winner after 102 minutes and 32 seconds of action, using an assist from Dustin Harris (junior, forward, Bettendorf).
           
"Brant is a special player," Laidlaw said. "It takes a special kind of individual to take a game like that by the scruff of its neck and put us over the top and that's what he did."
           
Starting goalkeeper John Foster (freshman, Lee's Summit, Mo., North HS) was injured late in the first overtime period after making five saves. Sophomore Micah Poole (Bettendorf) played the final five minutes of the game and was on the field for Mueller's game-winning goal.
           
Central closes out its 2021 spring season with a home match Saturday against Luther College at 1 p.m.           

"Buoyed by this comeback victory tonight, I'm sure the team will be ready to leave everything on the pitch Saturday," Laidlaw said.