Central women’s soccer team wins physical match

PELLA- In her first game back from injury, goalkeeper Zoey Sizemore (sophomore, Omaha, Neb. Mercy HS) grabbed five saves and led the Central women’s soccer team to their third straight win.

“It was great to have (Sizemore) back,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “She provides a lot back there. Some leadership, and the ability to play with her feet. The last three games our goalkeepers have been great along with the back line.”

The Dutch (6-2) defeated the University of Wisconsin- River Falls 2-1 Saturday, snapping a four-game winning streak.

The Falcons (5-2) opened the scoring when a bouncing ball found the back of the net in the 21st minute. Central responded in the 34th minute when Grace Coates (senior, Marion) scored her fifth goal of the season and 40th of her career. Alli Seegers (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly- hell Rock HS) picked up the assist on the goal.

The Dutch had a chance to take the lead when Abby Frey (5th-year, Mesa, Ariz., Desert Ridge HS) was fouled in the box and drew a penalty but the Wis-River Falls goalkeeper Kiera Nelson blocked it. Frey was not left scoreless when she took a throw-in from Addison Brown (freshman, West Alton, Mo., Orchard Farm HS) and found the back of the net in the 77th minute.

“They were 5-1 coming into the match, but it was a great battle,” Kobylinski said. “We matched the physicality and gritted out a win. The team has been working on strength and conditioning. I didn’t see us get pushed off the ball much but if they did, they responded well”

The squad does not have to wait long to get back on the pitch when it hosts Illinois College Sunday on the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex soccer field at 2 p.m.