STERLING, Kan. — Sterling (2-3-0) defeated Central Christian (KS) (0-5-0) 2-1 on Saturday. April Isbell scored at 75:59 with the match tied 1-1, putting the Warriors in front late. The Warriors kept Central Christian (KS) scoreless in the second half despite 16 shots and five corner kicks, and finished with 15 goalkeeper saves and five defensive saves while Central Christian (KS) held a 27-15 advantage in shots.
The Warriors turned a 1-0 first-half deficit into a 1-1 halftime score when Isbell converted a penalty kick at 39:58 during a late stretch of pressure. Earlier, the Warriors generated chances in the opening minutes, with Natalie Schiavone taking two early shots, Isbell serving corner kicks at 3:37 and 10:24, and Vivian Ramirez forcing a save. Central Christian (KS) went ahead at 14:54 on Chloe Clevenger’s goal, while Kadence Hardman kept the Warriors within one with multiple saves before the equalizer. After Isbell’s goal, the Warriors continued to test Samantha Stoehner with saved shots from Sheridan Nguyen, Gianna Randall and Cheyenne Siler, then survived a late Central Christian (KS) push with Hardman, Kaylynn Cline and Preslie Reffel recording saves before the half ended 1-1.
Isbell converted a penalty kick at 75:59 to put the Warriors ahead 2-1, giving the Warriors the decisive score in the second half. Earlier, the Warriors absorbed Central Christian (KS) pressure out of the break, with Hardman making four saves between 47:04 and 53:26 before the visitors sent another shot high at 57:11. The Warriors again held the score at 1-1 through a late push, getting a defensive save from Makenna Monnier at 67:18, another Hardman save at 74:42 and a defensive save from Reffel at 75:00 before Isbell’s penalty. After the goal, the Warriors added looks from Gabriella Galvin and Schiavone while defending a closing stretch that included four Central Christian (KS) corner kicks in the final three minutes. Siler added a defensive save at 87:43 and Hardman made another stop at 89:16 as the Warriors closed out the 2-1 win.
Isbell scored twice, converted both penalty-kick attempts and was credited with the game-winning goal. Hardman finished with 15 saves over 90 minutes in goal while allowing one goal. Schiavone led the Warriors with five shots and put two on goal. Reffel recorded two defensive saves.
The Warriors are 2-3-0 overall. Central Christian (KS) is 0-5-0 overall.
Up next, the Warriors host Bethany (KS) on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
