Boxscore
WAVERLY – Buoyed by strong play at both ends, Wartburg earned a 4-0 Iowa Conference win over Central Oct. 13 in a battle of two teams ranked on the current National Soccer Coaches Association’s Division III North Region poll.
Coach Kirk Artist’s Knights, winning their fourth straight and sixth in the last seven outings, broke up a scoreless tie in the latter stages of the first half. Freshman defender Bob Brown (Solon) took a free kick from the right side around 15 yards outside of the box and ripped it home past Dutch freshman goalkeeper Tim Maggard in the 31st minute. The sophomore duo of forward Brandon Cook (Bondurant)and Luke Salzwedel (Middleton, Wis.), worked together for the second score, in the 39th minute, as Cook made it 2-0.
It was more of the same in the second half. Senior midfielder Eric Peters (Bartlett, Ill.), took a feed from senior forward Jon Farrell (Washington, Mo.), and struck a rope at the Dutch goal for a 3-0 margin in the 65th minute. Farrell closed the scoring in the 84th minute, receiving a pass from Cook and sending it in for the fourth goal.
Senior goalkeeper Brandon Busbee (Hiawatha), extending his scoreless streak to 287 minutes and 48 seconds with his third straight shutout, was tested by a scrappy Central offense, especially early. The visitors held a 15-11 shots advantage and forced four saves.
Wartburg (8-4 overall, 5-0 IIAC) resumes its week with a trip to Dominican University in River Forest, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 16. Match time at the West Campus field is 3 p.m.
Notes – Farrell’s evening, consisting of three points for a goal and assist, moved him to the top of the team’s goal and total points categories. He has five goals and 11 points going into the weekend. … Senior midfielder Lucas Prater (Springfield, Mo.), and Cook have identical numbers behind him with four goals and two assists each for 10 points. Prater remains the leader in shots (30) and game-winning goals (three). … Busbee’s scorless streak has dropped his goals-against average down to 0.76.
