Kramer’s free kick goal gives Dutch women overtime soccer win
Central College
PELLA — It took 30 shots, but the Central College women’s soccer team finally found the goal it needed when Lauryn Kramer (freshman, Cedar Falls) connected on a free kick to seal a 1-0 overtime win over Monmouth College (Ill.) Wednesday.
The two teams had been locked in a scoreless draw through 94 minutes before Kramer was able to finally connect on a goal off the free kick.
“Lauryn’s been doing that all year,” Kobylinski said. “She’s hit the post a few times and actually scored a very nice goal during the preseason that way. She needed to test the keeper and she did just that. Kudos to her for a nice shot.”
The Dutch (5-3) held a 30-4 shot advantage over the Scots (2-6), with 12 of those shots being on goal. Kobylinski emphasized to his team the need for them to finish their opportunities.
“Our offensive output was good as far as shots go,” he said. “We have to turn those shots into more goals. We’ve got to figure out how to get the spherical thing inside the net and not hit the post. When we get in positions against the keeper one on one, we’ve got to figure out not to shoot at her hands and make her dive.”
Central split the game between its two junior goalkeepers Sydney Lunardi (Bettendorf, Iowa, Davenport Assumption HS) and Savana Robinson (Des Moines, Hoover HS). Robinson took over in the second half and went unchallenged until making two critical saves in overtime.
“Savana has been a loyal servant of this program for three years and I couldn’t be happier for her,” Kobylinski said. “Soccer’s a game of momentum and their only shot in overtime could have been the game-winning goal. But it wasn’t, because Savana came up big.”
The defense was stifling once again for the Dutch, who allowed just four shots all game. The duo of sophomores at outside back, Jackie Sunderman (Pella) and Kayla Dowell (Cedar Falls) played an important role in that according to Kobylinski.
“I think Jackie had her best game of the year,” he said. “Our outside backs Kayla and Jackie are always going at 100 percent, there’s a reason we call them Beast and Tank.”
Kobylinski, who earned his 50th victory at the helm of the Dutch program with the win, also cited Kalee Findlay (sophomore, Grimes, Dallas Center-Grimes HS), Kallie Holte (sophomore, Kirksille, Mo.) and Lauren Vahlkamp (freshman, Quincy, Ill., Notre Dame HS) for their effort and giving quality minutes.
Saturday marks the beginning of the conference season for the Dutch as they face Buena Vista, a team they beat 6-0 at home last season. That match kicks off at noon in Storm Lake.
