By Jordan J. Michael

EAST GREENBUSH –– Guilderland senior Jordan Weeden exploded for four goals on Tuesday and led his soccer team to a 5-to-1 victory over a desperate Columbia squad.

Weeden put in all three of the Dutchmen’s first-half goals and then added another tally in the second half off a deflection. Vito Mesiti had the other Guilderland goal in the second frame off a nice through ball by Nick Iuorno.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Weeden said. “We were trying to open the field.”

Guilderland did just that by using its midfield to clamp down on the Blue Devils’ defense. The Dutch went hard to every ball and usually won it. When Columbia gained possession, it would clear it up field, only to have the ball come back.

“We’re a little more dangerous going forward after today,” Head Coach Mike Kinnally said. “We’ve been possessing without any real direction. It’s more of a running style.”

After losing 13 seniors from last year, Kinnally said, the current team has “more raw talent.” The Dutch have a level playing combination of experience and inexperience.

“We’re improving every day,” Weeden said.

The Dutchmen have the task of filling the entire defensive void, including the space in goal left behind by All-Star Devin Bailey. Seniors John Patrick Horan and Brandon Leichman shared time in the net Tuesday, but only touched the ball twice.

Kinnally said that every day is a “tryout” as the Dutch play host to a talented Saratoga team today at 4:15 p.m. Guilderland is 2-0-1 in the Suburban Council, a league with a title that is up for grabs in 2010.

“All of my players are fighting for a position,” said Kinnally, noting a change in the usual routine for the team. “Positions were locked in over the last few years. That’s no longer the case.”