Central women’s soccer team scores OT goal, finishes second in league standings
Central College
INDIANOLA — It took nearly 110 minutes, but the Central College women’s soccer team found the goal it needed to defeat Simpson College 1-0 in overtime Tuesday and earn a bye in the Iowa Conference tournament.
After more than 109 scoreless minutes defender Liz Daniels (senior, Oconomowoc, Wis.) took a corner kick from midfielder Abby Hillmer (freshman, Hudson) and knocked it in for the game-winning goal.
“Hillmer played a beautiful ball into Liz who headed it in,” said coach Mike Kobylinski. “Liz did what she has done for four years, she stepped up big in a big situation.”
The win clinched a second place finish in the conference for the Dutch (10-4-3 overall, 5-1-1 conference), the highest conference finish in program history.
“We have to take a step back and appreciate that we just went 5-1-1 in one of the toughest leagues in the region,” said Kobylinski. “To be preseason fifth in the conference and finish second says a lot about where our program has gone and where we continue to go.”
Central outshot Simpson 26-4 in the match. Kobylinski believes this showed that the Dutch played well on both sides of the ball.
“Our defense has been solid all year and our offense has come on a lot at the end of the year,” said Kobylinski.
The shutout against Simpson (2-16-1, 0-6-1) was the 10th of the season for Central, tying the school record set last season. Kobylinski singled out the play of Daniels and defender Kayla Sunvold (sophomore, Runnells, Southeast Polk HS) for their role in the shutout.
“To have 10 shutouts on the year, a lot of that starts with Liz,” said Kobylinski. “We are certainly going to miss her next year. She is rock solid. Kayla Sunvold playing outstanding today too. I think she is one of the best backs in the league.”
Kobylinski also complimented the play of goalkeeper Sydney Lunardi (sophomore, Bettendorf, Davenport Assumption HS).
“Even though she did not have to make a lot of saves, her communication was great,” said Kobylinski. “Her ability to come off the line and set things up, I think that was good today.”
Something else the Central coach saw that he liked in the match was the poise displayed by Hillmer.
“After the first 10 to 15 minutes I thought she was one of the best players on the field,” said Kobylinski. “She proved that by getting the game-winning assist. She showed some composure as a freshman and I couldn’t be happier for Abby, I think she has come on strong.”
Despite Simpson’s record, Kobylinski thought the Storm put forth a great effort by sending the game into overtime.
“Hats off to Simpson,” said Kobylinski. “I thought they played with a lot of heart and grit.”
Central will have almost a week off before playing in the conference tournament semifinals Nov. 5 at home against the winner of the quarterfinal match featuring Loras College and Wartburg College. The time of the match has not yet been determined.
