Dutch overcome slow start, win women’s soccer home opener
Central College
PELLA — A pair of early second-half goals got the Central College women’s soccer team back on track in a 2-0 win against Grinnell College Wednesday night.
The victory also moved senior goalkeeper Sydney Lunardi (senior, Bettendorf, Iowa, Davenport Assumption HS) to the top of Central’s all-time wins list with 28.
Defensively, the Dutch (1-1-1) held the Pioneers (0-2-1) in check during the first half, allowing just two shot attempts. Offensively, Central could not find its rhythm with 10 missed shot attempts of its own.
The unlikely source of an own goal against committed by Grinnell brought Central’s offense to life. After receiving the own goal at the 59-minute mark, a Lauryn Kramer (junior, Cedar Falls) goal followed just three minutes later.
“Rachel Verhun (junior, Ann Arbor, Mich., Pioneer HS) had a good shot on frame right before the own goal, it was nice and powerful,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “Credit it to her for that, she kind of sparked our offense.
“After the own goal, we were connecting better and were more active. Lauryn literally had just subbed into the game and scored right away.”
Kayla Sunvold (senior, Runnells, Southeast Polk HS) recorded her second assist of the year on the corner kick into Kramer.
“That was a nice goal off the corner,” Kobylinski said. “We’ve been practicing that recently.”
A three-time all-conference selection already, Lunardi continues to cement her legacy in the Central women’s soccer record book.
“I couldn’t be happier for her getting this record,” Kobylinski said. “She’ll be remembered for what she has done between the pipes. Credit goes to coach Russ Goodman for developing her and Savana Robinson (senior, Des Moines, Hoover HS). They are two of the best goalkeepers we’ve ever had here.”
Central will have another chance to move the needle in a positive direction this weekend with matches against Crown College and Bethany Lutheran College in Minnesota, in which defense will continue to be an emphasis.
“We wanted to get back to shutout soccer today,” Kobylinski said. “We can hopefully build on that this weekend with a couple of more shutouts.”
The trip starts with a 1 p.m. match against Crown in St. Bonifacius on Saturday.
