Balanced offensive attack guides Central to women’s soccer victory

Central Dutch Athletics

INDIANOLA — Five different players found the back of the net, including a pair of goals from midfielder Olivia Denham (junior, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS), to help the Central College women’s soccer team rush Simpson College 7-0 Saturday afternoon.

Solidifying their largest margin of victory this season, the Dutch (8-1-0 overall) picked up their first conference victory. Simpson dropped to 2-6-0 overall.

In addition to Denham, defender Jackie Sunderman (senior, Pella), midfielder Kallie Holte (senior, Kirksville, Mo.), forward Elise Asklesen (sophomore, Indianola) and Felicia Roppe (senior, Council Bliffs, St. Albert HS) tallied goals.

“When you have balanced scoring like that it’s really hard for other teams to scout us and identify any weaknesses,” coach Mike Kobylinski said.

Kobylinski was especially pleased to see Denham light up the scoreboard for the first time this season. She scored the game’s fourth and seventh goals.

“We needed her to get some goals,” Kobylinski said. “For her to play well in our first conference game was fantastic. When she’s peaking at the right time it’s a good thing for Central soccer.”

In the game’s 17th minute already holding a 2-0 lead, Askelsen went from left to right to hit a goal that left Kobylinski amazed.

“Elise had one of the best long distance strikes I’ve seen in quite some time,” Kobylinski said. “She hit a ball from probably 30 yards out that was a very tough shot.”

After nine games in the first 23 days of September, Central gets a full week to prepare for its second conference opponent, welcoming Wartburg College to Pella next Saturday in a 1 p.m. start.

“We need to rest a little,” Kobylinski said. “It’s will be nice to be able to train for a full week before Wartburg. Our conference is so tough that we literally have to take it one game at a time. We’ve got to get back on the training pitch and see what we can put forth on Saturday.”