Offense remains a priority for Central’s women on the pitch

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA — Coming off a season in which the Central College women’s soccer team set records on offense, coach Mike Kobylinski believes his team ready to turn it up another notch in 2018.

A 14-2-3 record in 2017 also gave the program its highest winning percentage ever at .816.

Last season, the Dutch fired off 478 shots and put 218 of them on frame on for 52 goals. The players responsible for 40 of them return. Erin Manion, Lauren Vahlkamp and Elise Askelsen each had at least five goals and several other returning players had at least two.

“The bottom line is that we’ve got a lot of attackers who can create issues for the other team,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “We’re going to get out scorers in the best position possible to contribute.”

In the newly-renamed American Rivers Conference, the Dutch were picked to finish third by the coaches. Defending champions Loras College, who tied Central 1-1 in 2017, were projected to repeat. Trailing the Dutch 1-0 for most of the 2017 regular-season finale, the Duhawks pulled even in the final eight minutes. A victory would have clinched a shate of the conference title for Central.

“We have been so close in years past,” Kobylinski said. “We’ve averaged a top-three league finish since 2014, which is amazing and something we have worked hard for. But we are hungry for a conference championship and an NCAA bid.”

The non-conference schedule is highlighted by a home match against Illinois Wesleyan University on September 16. The Titans have qualified for five consecutive NCAA Division III tournaments. Kobylinski also cited Knox College (Ill.) and Albion College (Ill.) as key matches.

“It is great for our program to attract such nationally and regionally ranked opponents to come to Pella and play on our lovely pitch and see our new facility upgrades,” he said.

Forwards

There was no sophomore slump for Erin Manion in 2017 as she tallied a league-high 13 goals after a 10-goal freshman campaign, earning all-conference honors. She was also an all-region pick.

“She has been a leading scorer in the league the last two seasons and is one of its top strikers,” Kobylinski said. “I’m hoping she can bang in as many goals as she did last year, if not more.”

Junior Elise Askelsen will often partner with Manion in attack and the honorable mention all-conference performer presents another difficult task for opposing defenses.

“When Erin and Elise are clicking there aren’t a lot of striker partnerships around that can match their level,” he said. “There’s not a lot of back lines that can keep one or both off the scoreboard.”

Senior Hannah Reussner and sophomores Katie Wang and Sophia Sanchez could be looked to for minutes as well.

“Hannah is going to give us 100% whenever her number is called,” Kobylinski said. “Her attitude is such that she’s looked to as a leader on this team. Katie has really come along nicely and we are excited to unleash her a bit more this year.”

Midfielders

The attack-minded Dutch will have plenty of fire power in the middle third of the field as well with players like senior Olivia Stoops providing veteran stability and the ability to distribute to the outside midfielders.

“Olivia had a great spring and has really worked hard in the offseason.” Kobylinski said. “We’re looking for her to attack more from the center-mid position because we think it will accentuate her positives as a player.

Sophomore Sarah Casterline will be tasked with a similar approach as Stoops.

“We’re excited to see what Sarah can do as well,” Kobylinski said. “She also had a fantastic spring and is such a hard worker.

On the outside senior Olivia Denham, another all region performer and two-time all-conference selection, may see more time further up the field and closer to the net at times, too.

“We might get her closer to the goal so her speed and athleticism can create chances for us,” Kobylinski said. “If she can maintain her confidence at an elevated level, she can and will score some big goals for us. Her fitness level is something I have never seen before as a coach.”

Senior Lauren Vahlkamp may also be in line to make a similar move from the left flank to a position further up the field for similar reasons. She had seven goals and seven assists in 2017.

“We’re looking to get her closer to the goal as well at times,” Kobylinski said. “I think she can also create some good opportunities with her crossing ability.”

On the outside, junior Mikaela Erickson brings a powerful leg into the equation.

“When she strikes a ball, there’s not a lot of people in the league that can match her,” Kobylinski said. “We’ve got to keep her healthy and get her in those positions to make those things happen.”

Junior Baylee Kivett will put her athleticism to use on the flank.

“She is one of the more fit players on the team,” Kobylinski said. “Her work rate and attitude are very good. We’re trying to get her more goal-scoring opportunities.”

Seniors Hailey Budke and Lauryn Kramer will be used more as defensive midfielders along with senior Lauren Goeke and sophomores Cate Christopherson and Gabrielle Lillie at times. Kobylinski is excited for the competition at that spot.

“There aren’t many players I have referred on to coaching,” he said. “Hailey is one of those players. She really sees the field well and gets the best out of her teammates. As a captain, we are looking for her to lead.”

Kramer was an all-conference pick for two years before soliciting honorable mention in 2017.

“Lauryn is known as a strong tackler and good ball winner around the league,” Kobylinski said. “We’ll see what she can do in her final year.”

Another defensive midfielder, sophomore Gabi Toulon, had a solid spring Kobylinski said.

Defenders

With a wealth of defenders having graduated in May, Kobylinski will need to replace several starters in the back. Seniors Caitlyn Champ and Goeke are two examples of experienced players ready to step into those roles.

“We’ve trained and played them in other roles so they could be ready and able to step in and start right away,” Kobylinski said. “We constantly train our backs functionally and with different combinations so when your number is called you better step up. Lauren is very versatile and Caitlyn has been a loyal servant of the program. I couldn’t be happier for them both.”

Lillie recovered nicely as a sophomore from the ACL tear that forced her out of her freshman year. She’s vying for a steady role on the outside or at the defensive midfield position.

“She had a really good spring,” Kobylinski said. “She’s growing into herself confidence wise and I’m excited to see what she can bring us.”

Options on the left side will include Christopherson and junior Stephanie Noble.

“I think Cate can she step in and get good minutes again this year,” Kobylinski said. “Tactically, she’s one of the best I have ever seen at reading the game. Stephanie has had some experience and I know she’s going to give everything she can. She has really worked on her craft.”

Junior Hannah Ogren and sophomore Tayte Barense also provide depth in this area.

Goalkeepers

Sophomore Taylor Golt had a fantastic debut season, tying a school record with 12 wins in a season. She recorded six shutouts with 0.70 goals against average.

“She was very good as a freshman,” Kobylinski said. “She peaked towards the end of the conference season and played some of her best soccer.”

Classmate Kylie Naeve earned a win in her only start with three saves and will look to play in a reserve role this season.

Freshmen

The Dutch welcome ten new players this spring and though there is some added emphasis on defense, there is talent across the board according to Kobylinski.

“I’m excited about the depth we are bringing in,” Kobylinski said. “We want our newcomers to compete with the returners and push for time and make our team better. Some of them have won state championships in high school or played for high-level clubs.”

Coaching staff

This will be the eighth season of Kobylinski’s tenure, in which he has compiled a 83-35-15 (.680) record. He has enjoyed remarkable consistency from his coaching staff as goalkeeper coach Russ Goodman has been with the program for all seven of Kobylinski’s seasons and assistant Kelsey Roxworthy played in the program for four years before joining the staff a year ago.

“It is great for me step back and see the progression of both of them,” Kobylinski said. Coach Goodman has produced goalkeeper after goalkeeper and we are lucky to have him. I knew right away that Kelsey’s calling was in coaching. It is pretty awesome for us to be around each other daily. We have such a strong passion for our player’s success on and off the field.”

Central will open at home against Albion on Saturday, September 1 at 3 p.m.