Road triumph for Central women’s soccer squad

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA — Bouncing back from a pair of tough defeats, the Central College women’s soccer team rolled to a 3-0 win at Buena Vista University on Tuesday.

The win moves to Central’s season record to 10-4-1 (4-2-0 American Rivers Conference) and drops Buena Vista to 1-13-0 (0-6-0 conference).

“I thought our effort was good,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “It’s always nice when you can play all 24 players who travel. It was a nice team win.”

Olivia Stoops (senior, midfielder, Morton, Ill.) struck first in the 12th minute on her fourth goal of the season off an assist from forward Erin Manion (junior, Delafield, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS).

“That was a nice connection,” Kobylinski said. “Stoops was very composed in front of the box and tucked it away.”

Lauren Vahlkamp (senior, midfielder, Quincy, Ill., Notre Dame HS) followed two minutes to make it 2-0. Elise Askelsen (junior, midfielder, Indianola) was awarded the assist.

“Vahlkamp had a good game today,” Kobylinski said. “Elise also played very well.”

Central’s only goal of the second half was by midfielder Mikaela Erickson (junior, Spring Lake, Mich., Western Michigan Christian HS), who took an assist from Vahlkamp.

“We chatted with Mikaela at halftime about being a little more calm in front of the box,” Kobylinski said. “She had a nice instep shot hit the back of the net, it was beautiful.”

Goalkeepers Taylor Golt (sophomore, Crystal Lake, Ill., Prairie Ridge HS) and LeAnn Grandia (freshman, West Des Moines, Valley HS) split the shutout after playing the first and second half, respectively.

“It’s nice to get the shutout,” Kobylinski said.” We changed our shape a little bit and I think it benefitted us.”

The final home match of the regular season for Central is Saturday against Luther College. The match between the Dutch and the Norse (4-7-3, 4-2-0 conference) will start at 1 p.m. at A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex.

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