Several exciting sports moments happened over the past year at Central College, and while our top ten features some of the biggest, more notable accomplishments are worth mentioning. Before we resume the countdown on Monday with #5, here are the “best of the rest” (in chronological order):

Women’s Soccer Reaches ARC Semifinals for First Time since 2016

For the first time since 2016, the Central College women’s soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the American Rivers Conference tournament, as the fifth-seeded Dutch defeated fourth-seeded Dubuque 2-1 on November 2nd.

Central opened the scoring in the 36th minute, when Abby Frey scored her sixth goal of the season on a free kick. Kelley Duffy extended the lead in the 59th minute scoring her second goal of the season. Goalkeeper Zoey Sizemore collected seven saves. With the victory, the team captured its most wins since 2017, as well as avenged the last three tournament losses at Dubuque.

The Dutch fell to top-seeded and #3 team in Division III Loras College in the semifinals, finishing the season with 11-7-2.

Women’s Golf Takes Second at the American Rivers Conference Championships

Making a spirited run at the title, the Central College women’s golf team came away with a second-place finish at the American Rivers Conference Championships on October 7th.

The tournament favorite University of Dubuque held on for the crown, shooting 324-331-315—970 in the 54-hole tourney while Central shot 335-324-318–977. The finish was Central’s ninth top-two conference team finish in the past 11 seasons. Freshman Allie Pfantz was named the conference Rookie of the Year, after placing second in the medalist race with 83-74-77—234 at the par-71 Ames Golf and Country Club course. Pfantz also earned all-conference honors and Lydia Grond did so for the third year in a row, finishing sixth at 81-81-79—241. Parker Stout moved up three spots to tie for 16th place at 84-86-81—251, Mickey Martens was 22nd at 87-88-81—256 and Amber Timmer was 24th at 87-83-88—258.

Baseball Wins Season Series at Dubuque for First Time since 2012

After winning the first game 6-1 on March 21st, the Central College baseball team defeated the University of Dubuque 6-5 in the opening game of a doubleheader on March 22nd to win a series in Dubuque for the first time since 2012.

The score was tied 2-2 through two innings of the opener, but the Dutch broke through after a Max Steinlage walk, which preceded a home run by Dom DeLaPaz. Dubuque battled back and took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth but the Dutch answered with three hits and two runs in the top of the sixth. Dylan Williams had the go-ahead RBI on a two-out triple. Bryer Wiley got the win on the mound with 4.1 scoreless innings of relief. He allowed just two hits and one walk while facing 14 batters. Mark Kenney was the starting pitcher, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits with two walks and three strikeouts’

Central finished the season with a 17-21 overall record and an 8-16 mark in the American Rivers Conference.