PELLA — After 110 minutes, a defensive battle between the Central College women's soccer team and Luther College ended in a scoreless tie, with the Norse advancing to the Iowa Conference semifinals by a 4-3 margin in a shootout.

Central bows out of the league tournament with an overall record of 14-2-3 (5-1-2 conference). The Norse will play at the University of Dubuque on Wednesday in a semifinal match.

Goalkeeper Taylor Golt (freshman, Crystal Lake, Ill., Prairie Ridge HS) recorded five saves between the pipes, including one in overtime. In front of her, the Norse were stymied much of the game by the backline of Kayla Dowell (senior, Cedar Falls), Jackie Sunderman (senior, Pella), Rachel Vehrun (senior, Ann Arbor, Mich., Pioneer HS) and Lauryn Kramer (junior, Cedar Falls).

"Taylor did great today," coach Mike Kobylinski said. "The back line basically played the whole game and they did well playing a lot of minutes."

The Dutch were able to fire off a total of 27 shots in the contest, including eight that were on frame. Midfielder Lauren Vahlkamp (junior, Quincy, Ill., Notre Dame HS) led the way with five shot attempts while forward Erin Manion (sophomore, Delafield, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS) and midfielder Kallie Holte (junior, Kirksville, Mo.) each had four.

"We've got to tuck it away when we can," Kobylinski said. "We had chances to win the game but so did Luther."

In the shootout, Holte led off with a make and was followed by conversions from midfielder Caitlyn Champ (junior, Kearney, Mo.) and Verhun. The Dutch missed on their fourth and fifth attempts; while after missing on the third, Luther connected on the last two attempts to advance.
           
Central will lose to graduation an eight-woman senior class featuring Dowell, Kalee Findlay (midfielder, Grimes, Dallas Center-Grimes HS), Holte, Sadie Jones (goalkeeper, Creston), Amanda Rodriguez (midfielder, Grimes, Dallas Center-Grimes HS), Felicia Roppe (midfielder, Council Bluffs, St. Albert HS), Sunderman and Verhun.
           
"I talked to them after the game and I got emotional," Kobylinski said. "They mean a lot to me and to this program. They are phenomenal and I love every one of them."