PELLA — Allowing a late goal cost the Central College women's soccer team a win in its regular season finale against Simpson College Tuesday.
Central (12-2-2, 4-1-2 American Rivers Conference) took control of the match early when
Olivia DeVos (junior, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) buried a loose ball in the back of the net in the 14th minute for a 1-0 lead over Simpson (9-5-3, 4-2-1 conference).
The Dutch defense held strong until Simpson's Abby Bell put a ball over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper
Zoey Sizmore (senior, Omaha, Neb., Mercy HS) and just under the crossbar in the 86th minute.
Central held statistical advantages in shots (22-16), shots on goal (11-8) and corner kicks (7-2). Sizemore finished the match with seven saves.
"Today was bittersweet in that we felt we did enough to see win out and secure the two seed in the conference tournament," Kobylinski said. "I am proud of our players and leaders, as well as our staff, who have put in countless hours on and off the pitch."
Finishing the regular season with 14 points in the conference standings is the most for Central since tabulating 17 during the 2017 season in which the team finished tied for second. The Dutch are back in the top three of the league for the first time since 2023, when they shared third place. The Dutch were picked to finish in fifth in the preseason coaches poll.
"I don't think many people out there had us at a 12-2-2 overall record and 4-1-2 in the league to earn the three seed and hosting the first time since 2017," Kobylinski said.
The Dutch will host a quarterfinal match of the American Rivers Conference tournament on Saturday. The opponent and start time are yet to be determined.
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