ROCK ISLAND – The Augustana Vikings men's soccer team faced the visiting Central Dutch on Sunday at Thorson-Lucken Field, falling by a 2-0 final.

For the first 35 minutes of the game, both teams put forth a staunch defensive effort, with Central firing five shots to Augustana's three. Benjamin Samuelson entered at 39:34, making his season debut in goal, but faced immediate pressure from the Dutch. The third-year keeper saved an initial Central shot attempt at 40:29, but after a cross-field pass near the right side of the box, the Dutch sent in a successful strike just three minutes later to break the stalemate and enter the half up 1-0. 

Central continued to apply pressure out of the break, firing four shots in the opening 15 minutes towards Samuelson as he added two more saves to his total. The Vikings broke through the Central defense at 63:07 as Ismail Bennani sent a shot hurling toward the Dutch goal on a fastbreak, but it sailed just high. Three shots hailed towards the Augie goal in the 70th minute of action, but the Vikings' defense stonewalled the attempts to keep the game within one score. Central eventually distanced themselves on the scoreboard at 74:15 as they added their second goal on an assisted strike and cemented the 2-0 final score. 

Augustana had four players register a shot attempt with one on goal, while Samuelson added four saves in just over 50 minutes of action. 

The Vikings will hit the road on Tuesday, September 12 for a 6 p.m. non-conference battle against the Illinois College Blueboys at Green Athletic Field in Jacksonville, Ill.