PELLA—Following a disappointing 2021 season, the 2022 Central College men's soccer team is pressing reset with a versatile and young group of players.
           
Central won its first outright American Rivers Conference title in 2019, advancing to the program's first NCAA Division III Championship tournament. After going 3-4-1 in a season shortened by COVID in 2020-21, Central slipped to 2-5-1 in league matches in 2021 (4-10-1) overall and missed the league tournament for just the third time since 2002.
           
"Part of the excitement of every year near is that you start with a blank slate," coach Garry Laidlaw said. "Last season was an illustration of how the margins are so thin between having success or not. We played a similarly tough schedule in both 2019 and 2021, especially with our non-conference matches early in the season. We overcame the challenges in 2019 and won more matches than we were able to in 2021."
           
This year's senior class were freshman for the 2019 team and will be looked to for leadership this year.
           
"Team leadership is going to be play a big part for us, especially from our senior class," Laidlaw said. "They all have different roles to play but they can all still have an impact."
           
Central returns six starters and 20 total letterwinners. Versatility is a big part of this team's makeup according to Laidlaw, creating a good problem for the coaching staff of how best to deploy its team.
           
"We think we can be a little more flexible tactically," he said."

Goalkeeper
John Foster (junior, Lee's Summit, Mo., North HS) was recognized as an honorable mention for the All-Americans Rivers Conference team in the spring and fall seasons of 2021. He's started in 21 games, winning six and securing four shutouts.
           
"We think we've got one of the upper echelon goalies in the league," Laidlaw said. "The fact that he has earned honorable mention all-conference speaks highly of that. He was selected as a captain as a junior by his peers so I think that speaks to John's place on the team."
           
Alex Miller (sophomore, Aurora, Ill., Waubonsie Valley HS) was the reserves keeper last year and is waiting in the wings behind Foster.
           
"He showed encouraging promise once he settled in with the team last year," Laidlaw said.
           
Defender
A trio of 6-footers are in contention to anchor the back line. Brandon Banyas (senior, Pleasant Hill, Southeast Polk HS), Nathan Kuhlman (junior, Lee's Summit, Mo., North HS) and Joe Brown (sophomore, Norwalk) have varying degrees of experience from the fall season and spring practice.
           
"We got a chance to take a good look at different combinations of those three as center backs in the spring," Laidlaw said. "We feel good about it and we also know there's newcomers coming in that will only make us stronger with more competition.
           
On the outside, Michael Handel (senior, Libertyville, Ill., Carmel Catholic HS) was a key reserve on the 2019 championship team and started most of 2021. Lucas Bartachek (sophomore, Waukee) and Jack Cannon (sophomore, Geneva, Ill.) are viable options as well.
           
"Handel returns with experience," Laidlaw said. "Lucas and Jack had a strong freshmen season as well."
           
Matthew Neuhalfen (junior, Glenwood), Mitchel Benhart (junior, Geneseo, Ill.), Simon Baker (junior, Blue Mounds, Wis., Mount Horeb HS) and Noah Leonard (senior, Spring Hill, Kan.,) are other options in the back returning from last season.
 
Midfield
Central gets Jake Dzarnowski (Wheaton, Ill., North HS) for a fifth year, coming off an injury-riddled 2021 season. An honorable mention all-conference pick in 2019, the two-time captain is joined by junior Gabe Wilson (Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) in the middle of the field.
           
"We're excited to have Jake returning," Laidlaw said. "Jake and Gabe are the two most experienced central midfield players. When they are in there together, there's a noticeable difference. They are tactically astute and provide a strong presence in that part of the pitch."
           
There's a plethora of options for Laidlaw to pair with or spell Dzarnowski and Wilson. Jordan Groshek (sophomore, Onalaska, Wis.), Solomon Mamola (junior, Urbandale) and Nick Colavita (sophomore, Scottsdale, Ariz., Desert Mountain HS) are among the options.
           
"Jordan and Solomon were really good in the spring," Laidlaw said. "Nick is a very versatile player and can play in the middle or in an attacking role."
           
Also available in the midfield are Drake Drish (sophomore, Fairfield), Evan Hackett (Tempe, Ariz., Tempe Prep) and Samuel Zook (sophomore, Phoenix, Ariz., Veritas Prep).

Forwards
The team's leading scorer during its 2019 league title run, Matthew West (senior, Pleasant Hill, Southeast Polk HS) lost much of the 2021 season to injury. A healthy West is capable of returning to his 2019 form and numbers.
           
"Having him back gives us a boost up top," Laidlaw said. "I think his level of experience and commitment in games and approach in training will have a knock on effect."
           
Nathan Casas (fifth year, Cottage Grove, Minn., East Ridge HS) was not on the roster in 2021. He brings back seven goals and six assists from 30 games between 2018 and the spring of 2021.
           
"His creativity will bolster our attack," Laidlaw said.
           
Coleman Manuel (sophomore, Erie, Colo.) played all over the field last season but Laidlaw thinks he could bring a scoring punch.
           
"He was one of our best new players last year and had a really good spring," Laidlaw said. "Depending on where our needs lie, there's a good chance we will look at him up front."
           
Micah Poole (senior, Bettendorf), a converted goalkeeper, and Luis Velazco (sophomore, Scranton, Greene County HS) are contending for minutes as well.

Coaching staff
Laidlaw enters his 25th season as the Dutch head coach. His new full-time assistant coach is Pauly Apostolopoulous, a former international player in England and New Zealand. Will Foskett steps into a volunteer assistant role alongside fellow returning part-time assistants Zach Jensen and Greg Walter. A 2020 Central graduate and former player, Dillon Maass is also volunteering. He is the coach for Sigourney High School in the spring. A student coach the last two seasons, Doug Pepper is also volunteering while working for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on Central's campus, bringing the staff to seven.
           
"Having a staff with so much experience in the program really makes a difference," Laidlaw said. "Pauly has been a tremendous addition to our program."
           
Central's first game is Thursday, September 1 at 2 p.m. on its home field against Westminster College (Mo.)