Three second-period goals propel Central women’s soccer team
Central College
PELLA — The Central College women’s soccer squad battled through a scoreless first period Saturday before securing a 3-1 victory against the College of Saint Mary (Neb.) in the last 38 minutes.
Despite a 0-0 tie at the half, the first-year coach Mike Kobylinksi preached patience from the Dutch in the last 45 minutes against the Flame (1-5).
“We talked about that at halftime, just stay calm, stay collected,” said Kobylinski. “We shot probably six or seven just wide, just missed the goal. So we knew it was going to come.”
Forward Alayna Bailey (Des Moines, Hoover) was a force for the Dutch in the second half. The sophomore notched two goals, her sixth and seventh of the season. The opening score came in the 53rd minute, when she teamed up with fellow sophomore Alyssa Fuller (Marshalltown).
Bailey didn’t wait long to repeat the feat, finding the goal again in the 58th minute. Her second effort was unaided.
“She’s definitely a force,” said Kobylinski. “She’s a very difficult player to stop.”
The Flame closed the game to 2-1 in the 71st minute, but Fuller secured the victory just four minutes later, taking an assist from forward Brittany Hinton (freshman, Davenport, West HS).
The Dutch outshot Saint Mary 23-12. Goalkeeper Steph Hasken (junior, Davenport, West HS) played all 90 minutes and made three saves.
Central (5-2) has one night to rest before traveling to Grinnell Sunday for a 2 p.m. match. The Pioneers (2-2-1) defeated Monmouth College (Ill.) on Saturday, a team that handed Central a 3-2 defeat Sept. 14. Grinnell blanked the Dutch 3-0 in the 2010 season opener at Pella and dominates the teams’ all-time series, 8-0.
