Fayette, Mo. - The No. 12 Central Methodist Men's Soccer team began the 2023 campaign with a 4-2 win over William Woods University Sunday afternoon at Davis Field. 

It also marks the first victory for new head coach Adam Galla. 

Just five minutes into the first half, Central capitalized on a set piece when Leonardo Chiulli scored on a header. Chiulli was assisted by both Matheus Storck and Hayden Wood.

Woods responded in the 22nd minute with a goal of their own to tie the match at 1-1. Junior Adrian Stokke put CMU back out in front with his first goal of the season in the 37th minute. Storck dished out his second assist of the day on the play. 

Leading 2-1 coming out of the halftime break, Central padded its lead when Basil Erne threaded a pass to Koen Schimmel, who slipped the ball past the keeper into the far post for the score. 

The Owls cut the lead to one in the 70th minute of play, before CMU's Liam Arthur sealed the win with a score off the assist from Jayton Johnson. 

Altogether, Central finished the afternoon with 23 total shots, including 14 on goal. WWU tallied 13 shots with five on goal. 

Cian Halpin led Central's offense with six total shots, followed by Schimmel with three and Erne with three. Storck dished out a game-high two assists while by Erne and Johnson each recorded one. 

Freshman Morris Van Tuinen got his first career start in goal for CMU, picking up three saves in a full 90 minutes of play. 

Central will next travel to Kansas City to face NCAA Division II Rockhurst University Thursday, August 31 at 7:00 p.m.

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