PELLA – The Central College women's soccer team was forced to play from behind for nearly the full 90 minutes and unable to recover, were downed 2-0 by Luther College Wednesday.
The loss ends the season for the Dutch with a 15-4-1 overall record. The 15 victories is a single-season record for the program. Luther (11-2-3, 6-0-2 Iowa Conference) will host Wartburg College (10-4-4, 5-2-1 Iowa Conference) in the Iowa Conference Championship match on Saturday.
Just 2 minutes and 13 seconds into the contest, Luther's Lauren Hughes put it into the back of the net to spot
"Anytime you play on the road, those types of things happen," coach Mike Kobylinski said. "Credit to Luther for jumping on us. After that first goal, we were able to regroup and play much better."
The Norse were able to widen the margin to 2-0 when Ellie Bunz tucked it away in the 60th minute.
In 75 minutes between the pipes, starting goalkeeper Sydney Lunardi (senior, Bettendorf, Davenport Assumption HS) withstood a barrage and piled up nine saves. Classmate Savana Robinson (Des Moines, Hoover HS) finished out the game in the net.
"Sydney played a great game," Kobylinski said. "She made some outstanding saves. I couldn't be happier with how her and Savana played. They're both going to be sorely missed."
Kobylinski credited junior defenders Kayla Dowell (Cedar Falls) and Rachel Verhun (Ann Arbor, Mich. Pioneer HS) for their efforts.
"They played their best 90 minutes all year," he said. "They were rock solid."
He was also complimentary of midfielders Olivia Stoops (sophomore, Morton, Ill.) and Felicia Roppe (junior, Council Bluffs, Saint Albert HS).
"They did really well up top showing some grit and physicality," he said.
In addition to Lunardi and Robinson, seniors Kayla Sunvold (Runnells, Southeast Polk HS)and Kelsey Roxworthy (St. Charles, Ill., East HS) played in the red and the white for the final time. Fellow senior Anissa Stanitzek (Grand Rapids, Mich.., Coopersville HS) missed the majority of the season due to injury.
"Five years ago I recruited them and told them about the vision we had for this program," "If you would've said five years ago that we would be where we are now, I'm not sure even they would have believed you. They've meant the world to this team."
Kobylinski thanked his assistant coaches Katelin Gannon and Russ Goodman, as well as athletic trainer Shelli Green for their roles with the program all season.
"I couldn't do without Katelin and Russ," he said. "I'm very thankful for both of them. Shelli and her staff have done great things getting our players healthy."
With just five seniors lost to graduation, Kobylinski's squad will return 21 players for the 2017 season.
"The future for this program is bright," Kobylinski said. "Our program is in a healthy spot right now.
