Central women’s soccer team gets another road win

LINCOLN, NEB. — Moving further up the American Rivers Conference standings, the Central College women’s soccer team snagged a 2-1 road win at Nebraska Wesleyan University Saturday.

The Dutch (9-3-4, 4-2-1 conference) are up to 13 points and in a tie for third place. The Prairie Wolves finished their season 2-12-2 (1-5-2 conference).

“We’re pleased to get another three points away from home,” Kobylinski said. “It was our second match in a row on turf which is always hard to play soccer on.”

Zoey Sizemore (freshman, Omaha, Neb., Mercy HS) got the win in goal while making one save, but she also garnered her first assist of the season. Her long punt bounced high off the turf, over the Prairie Wolves and to the foot of a charging Paige Cahill (senior, Castle Rock, Colo., Castle View HS) who buried the opening goal in the 28th minute.

Cahill found Grace Coates (junior, Marion) in the 58th minute for a goal to make it 2-0.

“It was a valiant effort by Paige to garner a goal and an assist today,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “Her and Grace put away good chances for quality goals.”

Nebraska Wesleyan’s defense challenged the Dutch, as the Prairie Wolves were credited with 56% of possession on the day.

“I felt at times we still struggled to connect passes,” Kobylinski said. “We did better at times in the second half. Credit to them for making it difficult. They are a scrappy side who played tough.”

Amber Santana (junior, Indio, Calif., Shadow Hills HS) and MiMi Pavelka (sophomore, Shakopee, Minn., Holy Family) were among the players Kobylinski cited after the match.

“Amber and MiMi provided much needed energy,” Kobylinski said. “Our entire backline did a solid job limiting their opportunities.”

Central closes out the regular season on Tuesday at noon against Loras College in a home match at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex. With a win Saturday night, Loras would clinch at least a share of the conference title before coming to Pella. A win or draw would assure the Dutch a spot in the league’s top half.