PELLA — A first-half goal was all the Central College women's soccer team needed in a 1-0 victory over Edgewood University (Wis.) to start the 2025 season Friday.
           
Josie Newton (junior, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) scored in the 18th minute on an assist from Rylee Rustad (junior, Gilbert, Ariz., Casteel HS) to give the game its only tally.
           
Dutch (1-0 overall) goalkeeper Zoey Sizemore (junior, Omaha, Neb., Mercy HS) made seven saves to preserve the shutout, the 10th of her career.
           
"It takes a lot of grit and character to beat and shut out a team like Edgewood," assistant coach Kate Jones said. "In games like this you have to dig deep and our group did that today. It was a total team effort."
           
Central is back on its home field Sunday afternoon for a 1 p.m. game against the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.