Dutch women’s soccer squad opens with shutout win

PELLA — A first-period goal was all the Central College women’s soccer team needed in a 1-0 win against Coe College Saturday afternoon, the team’s first game of the 2021 spring season.

In the 21st minute, Central (1-0-0, 1-0-0 American Rivers Conference) forward Katie Wang (senior, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Park Center HS) crossed a ball into forward Rachel Daniels (sophomore, Geneseo, Ill.) who buried the goal in her first collegiate match against the Kohawks (0-1-0, 0-1-0 conference)

“Katie sent in a nice ball to Rachel and she did what she does best, scored,” Kobylinski said. “That was a peach of a ball from Katie and Rachel rose like a salmon.”

The Dutch keeper Leann Grandia (junior, West Des Moines, Valley HS) got the victory while making two saves.

“She was an excellent leader back there,” Kobylinski said. “She earned it.”

Defenders Syd Canney (junior, Adel, ADM HS), Bridget Lynch (sophomore, Northglenn, Colo., Jefferson Academy), Lilly Walker (junior, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) and Maddi Fisher (freshman, Marion, Linn-Mar HS) were also key to the shutout according to Kobylinski said.

“The whole back line did an outstanding job,” he said.

The victory also doubled as the 100th career win for head coach Mike Kobylinski, who was quick to credit his assistants after the game.

“Coach Sunvold and Goodman have been loyal servants of the program,” he said. “They helped in this team win today.”

Central travels to Loras College next Saturday for its second match.

“It’s going to be a fun match,” Kobylinski said. “We’ll rest a little bit the next few days and enjoy the nice team win.”