Dutch women overcome first soccer road test
Central Dutch Athletics
PELLA— After opening with a pair of easy home victories, the Central College women’s soccer team took to the road Wednesday with similar results, dispatching Grinnell College 4-0.
Facing their stiffest competition yet, the Dutch (3-0) withstood the most offensive opponent thus far against the Pioneers (1-1). Freshman goalkeeper Taylor Golt (Crystal Lake, Ill. Prairie Ridge HS) made five saves while preserving the shutout.
“Taylor was tested,” Coach Mike Kobylinski said. “She made the saves that she had to make.”
On the defensive line in front of her, Kayla Dowell (senior, Cedar Falls), Jackie Sunderman (senior, Pella) and Rachel Verhun (senior, Ann Arbor, Mich., Pioneer HS) were key according to Kobylinski.
“Kayla Dowell had the best game I’ve ever seen her play,” Kobylinski said. “They all three really carried the backline tonight.”
Attempting just the fourth shot of her career, Sunderman pounded home her first goal.
“She pushed up from an outside back position and hit a one-timer,” Kobylinski said. “It was probably from 35 yards out.”
Sunderman’s goal was unassisted, as were goals by midfielders Mikaela Erickson (sophomore, Spring Lake, Mich., Western Michigan Christian HS) and Kallie Holte (senior, Kirksville).
“Mikaela scored on a direct free kick from 25 yards out,” Kobylinski said. “It was one of the best set piece goals I’ve ever seen. Kallie bulldozed through two or three people on her way to a beautiful goal.”
The only assist of the day went to midfielder Olivia Denham (junior, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS), who aided Lauren Vahlkamp (junior, Quincy, Ill., Notre Dame HS) for the team’s fourth and final goal.
“Olivia has it in her now to hit a beautiful ball like that,” Kobylinski said. “Olivia and Lauren are a pretty potent combination for us in the attack.”
The 3-0 Dutch will surely be tested Saturday when the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh visits for a 2 p.m. match.
“Obviously it’s always good to start off with more wins than losses,” Kobylinski said. “We’ll be ready for a tough opponent on Saturday.”
