Pella, Iowa 9/1/2022- The Westminster College men's soccer team took the field Thursday afternoon for the first time this season. They traveled to Pella, Iowa to take on the Central College Dutch in the season opener. The game did not go the Blue Jays' way as the Dutch put four goals in the net and were victorious 4-0. The Dutch go to 1-0 and the Blue Jays fall to 0-1 on the young season.

The Dutch kept the Jays' junior keeper Conner Benefield (Wentzville, MO / Timberland) busy all afternoon putting seven shots on goal and taking nineteen shots total in the game. Benefield was able to make three saves. On the other side of the field the Blue Jay offense could not gain any momentum against the stifling Dutch defense, they allowed only one shot in the entire game.

The Dutch struck early in both halves of play, scoring the first goal at the 10:33 mark and the second goal came on a penalty kick at 15:02 in the first half.

Coming out of halftime, Central wasted no time netting their third goal of the game, scoring one minute and three seconds into the second half of play. The fourth and final goal came at the 51:30 mark, giving Central a commanding 4-0 lead with thirty-eight minutes to play.

The Dutch committed ten fouls to the Blue Jays' eight. Junior defenseman Tyler Christle (Huntington, IN / Huntington) picked up a yellow card in the first half.

The Blue Jays will look to bounce back as they return home and welcome in the Illinois College Blue Boys for the home opener on Sunday, September 4th. Kickoff is set for 2 PM.