PELLA – Cornell's men's soccer team was dealt another tight loss Tuesday, this time falling in the final minute of a 2-1 nonconference battle with Central at Kuyper Athletics Complex.
 
The Dutch (3-3-1) made good on a penalty kick with only 45 seconds left in regulation to propel the home team to its first series win over Cornell since 2019. It was a tough-luck ending for the Rams (2-5), who have now dropped four of their past five matches by a single goal.
 
Freshman Nathaniel Sinitambirivoutin Kiffer gave Cornell's offense a spark, netting his first collegiate goal in the 43th minute that tied the match at 1-1. The match remained deadlocked for the next 45 minutes before Central caught a break on a late Cornell foul in the box that determined the outcome.
 
Cornell goalkeeper Will Bickel recorded three saves in 90 minutes of work. Two of his stops came after intermission.
 
The Rams fired nine total shots, three coming from Aidan Lerch. Sinitambirivoutin Kiffer had two attempts.
 
Coming up – The Rams host Beloit (1-8) in Saturday's Midwest Conference opener at 11 a.m. on Youth Day.