PELLA — After a two-goal lead slipped away, the Central College women's soccer team used an overtime goal off the foot of midfielder Olivia Denham (sophomore, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) to guide them a to a 3-2 victory against Nebraska Wesleyan University Tuesday afternoon.
Coming off the team's first defeat in over a month, the Dutch (11-2-1, 3-1 Iowa Conference) cruised out to a 2-0 lead in the first half courtesy of goals from Erin Manion (freshman, Delafield, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS) and Olivia Stoops (sophomore, Morton, Ill.).
A pair of set-piece goals by the Prairie Wolves (6-8-0, 2-3-0) in the second half, including an equalizer with 30 seconds remaining forced the match to overtime.
Unleashing an offensive barrage in the extra period, Central finally struck gold on the fourth shot when Denham put one past the outstretched hands of the diving keeper to seal the victory. It's her third game winner already this season.
"Olivia is such a hard worker," coach Mike Kobylinski said. "I was so pleased that she was able to tuck that ball away."
The late comeback was reminiscent of the season opener for the Dutch at Alma College (Mich.), when an early 2-0 lead turned into a 3-2 overtime defeat.
"That loss in Michigan helped us win today and it helped us beat Coe last week," Kobylinski said. "We'd prefer to keep that lead and not give up those goals. We've got some things to figure out but we'll save that for the training pitch tomorrow."
Offensively, Kobylinski cited a three-headed monster of Denham, Manion and Lauren Vahlkamp (sophomore, Quincy, Ill., Notre Dame HS) as spearheading the Dutch offense. In addition to her first half goal, Manion also assisted on Denham's winner.
"Erin had one of her best games since she's been here," he said. "I thought she was phenomenal."
Lauren Goeke (sophomore, Ballwin, Mo., Parkway South) got the start at center back with Rachel Verhun (junior, Ann Arbor, Mich., Pioneer HS) out of commission.
"Goeke played outstanding," Kobylinski said. "She really stepped it up."
Going deep off the bench, Kobylinski was pleased with how Stoops, Caitlyn Champ (sophomore, Kearney, Mo.) and Hailey Budke (sophomore, Leavenworth, Kan."
"They gave us great minutes off the bench," he said. "That's what good teams need to have."
Another home match looms Saturday when the University of Dubuque comes to town for a 1 p.m. match.
Central on the edge of rankings – After going 1-1 last week, the Dutch slipped out of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) North Region Division III poll. They are the highest team receiving votes outside of the top-10. In the D3soccer.com national poll, they are the fourth-team receiving votes with 13.
