Second-Half Surge Gives Dutch Women Soccer Win
After a scoreless first half, Grace Coates broke the game open with a second-half brace to give Central a 2-0 win over St Mary’s College (Ind.) Friday afternoon.
The win was Central’s first in fall opener since 2019. The Dutch (1-0) outshot the Belles (0-1) by just 13-11 margin but got the two they needed to win.
Coates struck first in the 54th minute on an assist from Kaitlyn Isom and then scored again three minutes later with a pass from Paige Cahill.
The opening day lineup for Central featured a trio of newcomers. Freshman goalkeeper Zoey Sizemore got the win. Sophomore transfer Katy Brown and freshman Alli Seegers also started in the back row.
The Dutch are back on the pitch Saturday for a home match against Hope College (Mich.) at 2 p.m.
Dutch Volleyball Team Wins with Total Team Effort
It was a triumphant start to the 2023 season for the Central College volleyball team with a sweep of Crown College (Minn.) Friday night to start the Central-Grinnell Invitational.
The Dutch rolled past the Polars to the tune of 25-10, 25-14, 25-12. In her varsity debut, right-side hitter Zoe Lutz powered her way to nine kills. In her first career start, outside hitter Leslie Snow added 10 of her own. Middle hitters Elyse Johnson and Emma Wagler showed up in a big way with eight and seven kills, respectively. Snow had four of the team’s 13 aces. Right-side hitter Makayla Ribble added three and Wagler had two. Setter Avery Rexroat had 34 assists. Outside hitter Gracie Pierson led the way with 18 digs, libero Colleen Kenney was close behind with 17. Wagler was also secured two blocks.
Central plays twice Saturday, starting with Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.) at 11 a.m. and Dominican University (Ill.) at 3 p.m.
Season-Opening Victory for Central Women’s Cross Country Team
The opening-day performance met the soaring season expectations for the Central College women’s cross country team.
Ranked 21st in the USTFCCCA preseason Division III poll, the Dutch took first in their own three-team Central Dutch Invitational Friday, racing past Loras College, which finished 18th nationally last season. Central finished with 25 points while Loras had 49 and Grinnell College followed with 61.
Caroline McMartin, who earned all-America distinction a year ago, turned it up a notch heading into her senior season, winning the 5,000-meter race in 18:19.8, more than 56 seconds faster than she ran on the same course a year ago.
Addison Parrott was third in 19:34.2 with Lindsey Davidson sixth in 19:48.5, a 49-second leap over last season. Kira Hooper was seventh in 20:01.4 and Leah Bontrager was eighth in 20:16.4. But no one made a bigger jump than Sara Goodenbour, who slashed 1:53 off of last year’s time to take 10th in 20:26.9. Hailey Hill was 12th in 20:34.8.
Central travels to Grinnell for the Les Duke Invitational next Saturday, Sept. 9. The Dutch won the seven-team meet last year.
Central Men’s Cross Country Freshmen Make Early Impact
Both experience and promise were on display for the Central College men’s cross country team Friday, as they were second in a four-team field in the season-opening Central Dutch Invitational.
Loras College placed five runners in the top-10 and won with 28 points to Central’s 35. Grinnell College followed with 71 and Knox College (Ill.) had 119. Noah Jorgenson sliced nearly 24 seconds off his 6,000-meter time in the same race a year ago and placed second in 19:04.2. Another veteran, Adam Sylvia, made an even bigger leap, finishing fourth in 19:09.9, a 50-second improvement. And Caleb Silver finished eighth in 19:30.3, slashing nearly 30 seconds off last year’s clocking. Central also had three freshmen, part of a highly regarded incoming class, crack the top seven. William Wadsley was 10th in 19:37.5, Jack Brown was 11th in 19:44.2, and Donovan Card was 16th in 20:04.9.
Up next is the Les Duke Invitational at Grinnell Saturday, Sept. 9. Central was second in an eight-team field in the meet last year.