Erickson pilots Central to women’s soccer triumph

PELLA— Assisting on the first goal of the game and then striking for two goals of her own, senior Mikaela Erickson (midfielder, Spring Lake, Mich., Western Michigan Christian HS) came up big in a 4-2 Central College men’s soccer victory against University of Northwestern – St. Paul (Minn.) Wednesday night.

Erickson had goals in the 11th and 16th minutes, taking an assist from Erin Manion (senior, forward, Delafield, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS) on the first goal and Jacie Borman (freshman, midfielder, Eagan, Minn.) on the second.

“Mikaela’s a gem,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “She really provides a spark out wide. When she gets her shoulders over the ball, not many in the league can strike it like her. Her confidence and play have improved immensely and I couldn’t be happier for her.”

Manion had the game’s first goal on a long through ball from Erickson in the third minute. She scored again in the 69th minute, her fifth of the season.

“When Erin is clicking, our team is clicking,” Kobylinski said. “That first goal was a strikers goal. There’s a reason she was selected all-region.”

Northwestern was a national qualifier in 2018 after winning the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and return the majority of that squad.

Kobylinski cited the effort of midfielders Bridget Lynch (freshman, Northglenn and Colo., Jefferson Academy), who had two shot attempts in 42 minutes off the bench, and Sarah Casterline (junior, Belvidere, N.J.) as key to the team’s success.

Central will take to the road for a match Saturday night at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, starting at 6 p.m. The Dutch will play the next day at 2 p.m. in Chicago, Illinois against North Park University.

“We have a deep roster,” Kobylinski said. “We’re going to bring everybody with us on the trip. We’ll do some team bonding and hopefully learn from those two matches. If we take it one game a time, maybe we can come home with two victories.”