Statement victory for Dutch women on soccer pitch

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA— Hosting a traditional NCAA Division III power, the Central College women’s soccer team stood their ground and shut out the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh 1-0 on Saturday.

In the process, the Dutch (4-0) earned a fourth consecutive shutout and their first-ever win over the Titans (0-2-1)

“We played really well,” coach Mike Kobylinski said. “It was a great win for our program. They’re a top team in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and have made the national tournament several times in recent years.”

A stingy Dutch defense has held opponents scoreless for 360 minutes to start the season and center back Rachel Verhun (senior, Ann Arbor, Mich., Pioneer HS) has been a major key.

“Rachel played all 90 minutes today,” Kobylinski said. “She was outstanding, it was probably the best I’ve ever seen her play. She really led the back line with Jackie Sunderman (senior, Pella) and Kayla Dowell (senior, Cedar Falls).”

The game’s only goal happened in the 10th minute, when midfielder Lauren Vahlkamp (junior, Quincy, Ill., Notre Dame HS) put midfielder Lauryn Kramer (junior, Cedar Falls) on the receiving end of a corner kick.

“That was a sublime deliver by Vahlkamp,” Kobylinski said. “Kramer rose up and put her noggin on it.”

Forward Erin Manion (sophomore, Delafield, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS) got two of her four shots on frame, but Kobylinski said her performance went beyond the numbers.

“Erin had a heck of a game,” he said. “She’s showing some leadership on the pitch.”

A trip to Mount Mercy University on Tuesday will have the Dutch vying a fifth-straight win to open the season, which would tie a program record set in 2005. With a shutout, Central could also tie the record for most consecutive shutouts set a year ago. That match will start at 7 p.m. in Cedar Rapids.