Set piece goal dooms Central women in final seconds
Central Dutch Athletics
PELLA — In a game in which it never trailed until the final whistle, the Central College women’s soccer team fell 3-2 on Sunday afternoon to Illinois Wesleyan University.
The Dutch (3-2-1) led for 53 minutes and 55 seconds of the contest and were tied for 55:27. The Titans (4-1-1), who entered the game ranked No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches Central Region poll, scored the game winner off a corner kick at 109:22 of the 110-minute match.
“They’re a good side, but we were right there with them,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “They’re an NCAA tournament team the last 10 years and made the final four in 2015.”
Striker Erin Manion (junior, Delafield, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS) scored her sixth goal of the year on a breakaway, streaking past the Titans backline in the 29th minute to put Central ahead 1-0.
“Erin is a special player,” Kobylinski said. “I was really happy for her to get on the scoreboard. It was a beautiful goal and she tucked it away.”
After the Titans equalized in the 63rd minute, Olivia Stoops (senior, midfielder, Morton, Ill.), put her foot on a loose ball and found the back of the net to put Central up again 2-1.
“We’ve been working with her to be more physical and she did just that,” Kobylinski said. “Actually, about 10 seconds prior, she won a ball in the midfield that created the chance. In my mind, she was 2-for-2 there. Her work on her game and her physicality has really paid off for her. She scored a really big one for us today.”
Illinois Wesleyan’s offense unleashed 35 shots and placing 15 of them on frame. Taylor Golt (sophomore, Crystal Lake, Ill., Prairie Ridge HS) recorded 12 saves.
“Taylor was phenomenal,” Kobylinski said. “She proved today why she is one of the tougher goalkeepers in the conference. She came off her line and communicated superbly. I was really happy with how she controlled the box.”
Kobylinski also cited the effort of his defensive back line, including captain Hailey Budke (senior, Leavenworth, Kan., Lansing HS) and Stephanie Noble (junior, Huntley, Ill.).
On Wednesday, Central faces off with Grinnell College at home for a 4:30 p.m. match. The Pioneers (2-2-1) shut out American Rivers Conference schools Buena Vista University and Simpson College by 4-0 and 2-0 margins in their last two contests, respectively.
