PELLA — Withstanding a late charge, the Central College men's soccer team bagged a 4-3 victory against Grinnell College Saturday afternoon.
           
Central (1-1-0) got an early start against the Pioneers (1-1-0), scoring twice in the first 25 minutes. Matthew West (junior, forward, Pleasant Hill, Southeast Polk HS) scored in the 11th minute and Zach Worster (senior, midfielder, O'Fallon, Mo., Saint Dominic HS) made it 2-0 in the 25th. Brant Mueller (senior, forward, Bettendorf) assisted West and Cole Manuel (freshman, midfielder, Erie, Colo.) assisted Worster.
           
"We were clearly more clinical today," coach Garry Laidlaw said. "We got more shots on target today and the crosses we were playing in were much more effective and gave us a chance to get on the end of them and put some away.
           
After a Grinnell tally in the second half, Central added two more from Mueller in the 56th minute and Mitchel Laihinen (senior, defender Rosemount, Minn.) in the 68th. Jack Cannon (freshman, defender, Geneva, Ill.) assisted Mueller and Sam Zook (freshman, midfielder, Phoenix, Ariz., Preparatory Academy) assisted Laihinen.
           
"Jack serves a great ball," Laidlaw said "He put in on a plate for Brant. Sam's also a great crosser of the ball. He came into the game more and more as it went on."
           
Central played 20 players with seven different members of the squad scoring a point.
           
"We're really pleased with the depth this year," Laidlaw said. "We need it early in the season when we have fixture congestion like this."
           
Central led 4-1 before two set-piece goals off fouls in the final 15 minutes made it 4-3 Grinnell. Central was called for 22 fouls as opposed to eight for Grinnell
           
Goalkeeper John Foster (sophomore, Lee's Summit, Mo., North HS) faced eight shots and made three saves in earning the win
           
Central hosts Augsburg University (Minn.) on Monday at 3 p.m.