It was ultimately advantage Dutch as two of the top five preseason teams in Class 2A girls soccer clashed at Pella High School Tuesday, with the #3 ranked home team defeating #4 Norwalk 2-1.

All of the scoring was contained to the first half as the teams first traded goals in short order; first, Abby Warner found the back of the net on an assisted play from Avary Hunsinger in the 17th minute, only for the Warriors to quickly counter with Braelyn Clark less than a minute after.

Lizzie Neumann ultimately made the difference needed on the board with a goal tucked in just before the half. The Warriors were relentless in the final 40 minutes with a wind advantage, but Head Coach Mark Howard says a 20-save performance by Madison Holland was the key in finding the win.

Pella’s girls are 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the conference and turn around to host Bondurant-Farrar Thursday; Norwalk falls to 2-1 and 0-1 and returns in action Friday at North Polk.