PELLA — The Central College women's soccer team put up a fight but could not withstand two goals by St. Catherine University (Minn.) in the final 12 minutes of 2-1 loss Tuesday.
           
Central (5-2-1) was named the No. 7 team in Region IX earlier Tuesday and played at the No. 3 rated Wildcats (4-0-2).
           
"It was a battle," coach Mike Kobylinski said. "We ran into a tough Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team and we were playing our second match in three days. Our women fought valiantly and almost were able to sneak a result."
           
Midfielder Elena Pinto (freshman, Kent, Wash., Federal Way HS) got the scoring started with a tally off a corner kick in the 52nd minute. St. Catherine leveled the match in the 78th minute and then took the lead in the 88th.
           
"Our team needs to realize that we were playing a top-three team in the region," Kobylinski said. "We played them toe-to-toe, we were just 12 minutes away from stealing one. We're happy with how we played, but it's bittersweet to be so close."

Goalkeeper Jasmyn Bush (sophomore, La Porte City, Union HS) made 13 saves to keep the Wildcats at bay for most of the match.

"She stood on her head today," Kobylinski said. "She made some of the best saves I've ever seen in my life."
           
The Dutch were also without starters Abby Frey (sophomore, midfielder, Mesa, Ariz., Desert Ridge HS) and Maddi Fisher (freshman, Marion, Linn-Mar HS) for Tuesday's match. Frey was first team all-conference in the spring and Fisher was honorable mention.
           
Central starts American Rivers Conference play on Saturday at Luther College for a 1 p.m. match.