Central defeated in home women’s soccer match

PELLA — Two early goals for Wartburg College was too much for the Central College women’s soccer team to overcome Saturday afternoon in a 4-0 loss.

The Dutch (5-8-2, 0-4-1 American Rivers Conference) conceded a pair of goals to the Knights (10-2-3, 4-1-1 conference) in the first 15 minutes and could not mount a comeback.

“Wartburg is a regionally ranked team for a reason,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “They beat us soundly today.”

Central was outshot by Wartburg 14-4 and were not able to put any shots on frame.

“We’ve got to possess a little bit better, play the way we face sometimes and then find the simple pass,” Kobylinski said. “That’s what’s failing us in the middle third and the attacking third. There’s no blame game, we’ve just got to get back to the drawing the board.”

Forward Erin Manion (senior, Delafield, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS) had two shots and forward Katie Wang (junior, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Park Center HS) and defender Alyssa Knuth (freshman, St. Joseph, Mich.) each had one.

“Erin tried her hardest up top again,” Kobylinsk said.

Kobylinski also cited the performance of midfielders Anna Tillo (sophomore, West Burlington, Notre Dame HS) and Bridget Lynch (freshman, Northglenn, Colo., Jefferson Academy) as well as defender Stephanie Noble (senior, Huntley, Ill.).

“Bridget and Anna were both very good today,” Kobylinski said. “Stephanie also gave us some solid minutes.”

Leann Grandia (sophomore, West Des Moines, Valley HS) had four saves as the goalkeeper in the defeat.

The difficult stretch of games continues on Wednesday night in Indianola against Simpson College for a 5 p.m. match. Entering the day Saturday, the Storm were 8-1-5 overall and 2-0-2 in conference matches.

“Simpson’s going to be a really good team,” Kobylinski said. “It’s a rivalry game so on any day any team can win.”