Balance spells success for Dutch women’s soccer team
Central Dutch Athletics
PELLA — With five different players either scoring or assisting on a goal and eight more attempting at least one shot, a balanced Central College women’s soccer team registered a 5-1 win over Buena Vista University Wednesday.
Winners of 15 of their last 16 home contests, the Dutch (13-2-1, 4-1-1 IIAC) overwhelmed the Beavers (2-13-1, 0-6 IIAC) by holding a 33-1 shot margin. The Beavers only goal came on a penalty kick late in the second half.
“When we have that kind of balance we are a force to be reckoned with,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “I think you saw it today and it creates a lot of offense for us and a lot of wins.”
The team’s leading scorer, forward Erin Manion (Delafield, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS) struck 46 seconds into the first half with her 11th goal of the season. Two minutes into the second half, she added a second tally.
Elise Askelsen (sophomore, Indianola), the other starting striker for the Dutch assisted on Manion’s second goal and also notched a goal of her own at the 62-minute mark.
“I thought Elise had one of her better games in a Dutch uniform,” Kobylinski said. “Her and Erin were stalwarts up top.”
Outside midfielders Olivia Denham (junior, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) and Lauren Vahlkamp (junior, Quincy, Ill., Notre Dame HS) also tallied goals in the contest. Vahlkamp added her team-leading seventh assist on Denham’s goal.
“Lauren and Olivia were outstanding,” Kobylinski said. “They gave us another dimension offensively.”
Midfielder Kallie Holte (senior, Kirksville, Mo.) added her fifth and sixth assists of the year, aiding Manion on her first goal and Askelsen on her goal.
With three shot attempts off the bench, midfielder Olivia Stoops (junior, Morton, Ill.) stood out to Kobylinski for her aggressiveness and performance.
With two games left in the regular season the Dutch have likely earned a spot in the conference tournament. The stretch run starts with a road contest Saturday at Luther College.
“We need to put together a full 90,” Kobylinski said. “It’s about playing with confidence and playing free. We need to do the little things correctly.”
