Central women’s soccer team falls in a battle between regionally ranked teams

PLATTEVILLE, WIS.- Despite giving up 33 shots, goalkeeper Zoey Sizemore (sophomore, Omaha, Neb., Mercy) was strong in goal recording ten saves, but the Central College women’s soccer team lost 3-2 to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

The Dutch (7-3) were able to put six out of their seven shots on goal.

“Tonight was a battle between two regionally ranked teams until the finish,” said coach Mike Kobylinski. “We did well to keep it 1-0 at the half because they were all over us, which is how they play. We regrouped in the second half and got it back to level and came back again, eventually to come up short.”

In the second half midfielder Kylie Bloomstrom (freshman, Forest Lake, Minn., Forest Lake Area HS) scored her second goal of the season on a corner kick from Abby Frey (5th-year, Mesa, Ariz., Desert Ridge HS) to even the game.

The Pioneers (9-0-1) scored two goals in three minutes to retake the lead. The Dutch weren’t done fighting when Amber Santana (senior, Indio, Calif., Shadow Hills HS) found the back of the net, once again on an assist from Frey.

“What I took from this match can’t be quantified on stats as we showed resilience and a no quit attitude that our staff can admire,” Kobylinski said. “While we are never satisfied with a loss I told (the team) afterward, we did well to make this a game. It showed me we have character in abundance.”

The squad now moves into American Rivers matches when it hosts Simpson College at 1 p.m. on the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex soccer field.

“We finished the toughest non-conference schedule we have ever had at 7-3,” said Kobylinski. “This has prepared us well for our league.”