PELLA — Two early goals and a second half set piece secured a 3-2 triumph for the Central College women's soccer team over Luther College in the final match of the 2021 spring season.
The Dutch (3-4-0, 3-4-0 American Rivers Conference) wasted no time scoring as midfielder
Kaitlyn Isom (freshman, Phoenix, Ariz., Horizon Honors) buried one from long range at the 4:23 mark of the first half.
"
It was one of the best strikes I've seen in my 10 years here," coach
Mike Kobylinski said. "She volleyed it from about 30 yards out and put it upper 90 on the right side of the goal."
Katie Wang (senior, forward, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Park Center HS) made it 2-0 just 14 minutes later.
"We worked on getting the ball on the corner of the 18 and cutting in," Kobylinski said. "Katie did just that and scored on her Senior Day."
Luther (4-4-0, 4-4-0 American Rivers Conference) would equalize the game early in the second half, but
Ceora LeClaire (junior, midfielder, Des Moines, Carlisle) put her head into a corner kick volley from
Abby Frey (freshman, midfielder, Mesa, Ariz., Desert Ridge HS) to put Central ahead for good in the 62nd minute.
"Ceora is a monster in the air," Kobylinski said. "Sometimes you just have to go up there and get it and that's exactly what she did."
Jasmyn Bush (freshman, La Porte City, Union HS) made three saves for the Dutch and got the win in goal.
Central honored its five member senior class of Wang,
Gabi Toulon (midfielder, Normal, Ill., West HS),
Cate Christopherson (defender, Omaha, Neb., North HS),
Taylor Golt (goalkeeper, Crystal Lake, Ill., Prairie Ridge HS) and
Jessica Altman (forward, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) before the game.
"It was nice to send the seniors out with a victory," Kobylinski said.
It's the final game of the spring for the Dutch after a previously postponed game with Nebraska Wesleyan University will not be played.
"We finished two spots higher than we were projected," Kobylinski said. "We're back in the top six where we belong and returning a lot of talent for next year."
