PELLA — Grace Coates (junior, Marion) broke a scoreless tie in the 72nd minute to give the Central College women's soccer team a 1-0 win over Wartburg College Saturday afternoon.
           
On a day where the Dutch (7-3-4. 2-2-1 American Rivers Conference) outshot the Knights (5-8-1, 3-3-0 conference), it took until late in the second half to find the back of the net. Coates took a pass down the left side from Paige Cahill (senior, Castle Rock, Colo., Castle View HS) and weaved her to a left-footed goal, her 13th of the season.
           
"It was a lovely goal to put us up 1-0," coach Mike Kobylinski said. "There were a few momentum shifts during the game but we really took control when Grace tucked it away."
           
The goal was one of four shots Coates put on frame. Bailey Huizenga (sophomore, Colona, Ill., Geneseo HS) had two of the other eight shots on goal.
           
Zoey Sizemore (freshman, Omaha, Neb., Mercy HS) made three saves in helping Central shutout an opponent for the eighth time in 2023.
           
"She made the saves we needed her to make," Kobylinski said. "She made a tough one in the first half and smothered one or two in the second half. Her clock management was outstanding for a freshman and I thought it was one of her better games."
           
Several players had standout performances that don't show up on a stat sheet according to Kobylinski said.
           
"MiMi Pavelka (sophomore, midfielder, Shakopee, Minn., Holy Family) covered every blade of glass today," he said. "It was the best match of her two years. Nicole Sinclair (sophomore, defender, Arvada, Jefferson Academy HS) was running all over the field and marking and getting involved. Kaitlyn Isom (senior, Phoenix, Ariz., Horizon Honors) did a wonderful job in the middle of the park.
           
The Dutch are at Coe College Wednesday for a 5 p.m. match.
           
"We're taking it one match at a time," Kobylinski said. "Coe always plays tough on turf. But we're going to enjoy this one for a few days."