PELLA— A converted penalty kick in the 89th minute by defender Spencer Taylor (junior, Norwalk) broke the tie as the Central College men's soccer team defeated Cornell College 2-1.
           
It was Taylors team leading third goal of the season.
           
"(Taylor) is an anchor for us in the back, while also leading our squad in goals," said coach Garry Laidlaw.
           
The Dutch (3-3-1) opened the scoring in the 12th minute when defender Alejo Marcon (junior, Resistencia, Argentina, Pella Christian HS) scored his second goal of the season off an assist from Coleman Manuel (senior, Erie, Colo.).
           
"We had a great first 20 minutes," said Laidlaw. "Our team reacted (to the physicality) well, and defensively as a unit we played very well."
           
Central outshot the Rams (2-5) 11-9, while only allowing two of their shots to be on target. Morgan Finkenbinder (freshman, Elkhorn, Neb., Skutt Catholic HS) got his second career start and picked up his first win.
           
"His save on the shot before the goal was a tremendous stop," Laidlaw said.
           
The squad returns to the pitch when it opens American Rivers play against Simpson College Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex soccer field.
           
"Even though the results haven't always gone our way so far this year, we've been happy with the way that we have played" Laidlaw said. "We believe our performances have been better than the results and we are happy to get one of those to go our way."