Central shutout in women’s soccer opener

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA — A first-period strike was all the Albion College women’s soccer team needed to beat Central College 1-0 Saturday afternoon.

The season-opening loss makes the Dutch 0-1 and the Britons 1-0. It was the first home loss for Central since 2015.

A team that averaged nearly three goals a game in 2017 was outshot 20-11 in the loss.

“I think the disappointment from today was that we practiced passing and the last ball in all week and we struggled with both of those things,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “We talked about it at the end of game and we’ll learn from it.”

Central’s striker Erin Manion (junior, Delafield, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS) had three shots including one on frame that nearly went past the Albion keeper. Offensively, Kobylinski also cited freshman midfielder Anna Tillo (West Burlington, Notre Dame HS) for her debut effort.

“Erin is always going to have chances,” he said. “Anna showed pretty well as a freshman,”

Defensively, senior defenders Lauren Goeke (St. Louis, Mo., Parkway South HS) and Caitlyn Champ (Kearney, Mo.) limited the Britons to just he one goal.

“Lauren was dripping sweat when we finished,” Kobylinski said. “Caitlyn was one of our best passers from her spot at right back.”

Kobylinski also recognized the leadership of Hailey Budke (senior, Leavenworth, Kan., Lansing HS) in the back.

Central will get a second chance for home win on Monday afternoon with a match against North Park University at 2 p.m.