Champ clinches Central women’s soccer match with penalty kick

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA — Playing in overtime for the third time in as many matches, Central College women’s soccer senior defender Caitlyn Champ (Kearney, Mo.) notched a penalty kick two minutes into the extra period for a 2-1 Dutch win on Wednesday.

The victory over the Pioneers (2-3-1) was the first overtime victory of the season for Central (4-2-1). The Dutch tied Knox College (Ill.) 1-1 last Tuesday in double overtime and fell to Illinois Wesleyan University 3-2 in double overtime Sunday.

“Overall, it was a great team win,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “We showed some elements of team grit, which makes a team great.”

The penalty kick, drawn with a foul on striker Erin Manion (senior, Delafield, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS), was the first goal of the season for Champ.

“Champ doesn’t lack confidence,” Kobylinski said. “She’s unbelievable on penalty kicks. She’s doing a phenomenal job for us as a senior leader in the back line.”

Anna Tillo (freshman, midfielder, West Burlington, Notre Dame HS) scored the only goal of the first half, using an assist from Manion in the 20th minute.

“I had a good feeling she was going to score in her first start,” Kobylinski said. “She had a nice goal on a nice assist from Erin.”

A goal late in the second half knotted the game and pushed it into overtime.

“I really appreciated what I saw in leadership from our captains, and specifically Hailey Budke (senior, defender, Leavenworth, Kan., Lansing HS),” Kobylinski said. “She organized a proper talk with the team at the end of regulation and I think it really helped us.”

Champ, Budke, Lauren Goeke (senior, St. Louis, Mo., Parkway South HS) and Steph Noble (junior, Huntley, Ill.) played well as a back line according to Kobylinski.

The Dutch will play their fourth-straight home game on Saturday, September 22 against Simpson College (2-5-0, 0-0-0 conference). It will be the American Rivers Conference opener for both teams.