PELLA, Iowa -- The 2015 season did not start the way it was planned for the Prairie Wolves as Central College defeated the Nebraska Wesleyan women's soccer team 2-1 on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 1) in Pella, Iowa.

It was the first match of the season for NWU under new head coach Tudor Flintham.  Both teams came out slow as they needed time to get adjusted to the start of the year.  Neither team scored a goal and only eight shots were attempted in the first 45 minutes.

Second half got off to a quick start with Central getting on the board first, just over three minutes into the second period.  Kayla Sunvold scored in the 48th minute to put the Dutch ahead 1-0.

That lead would not last long as Nebraska Wesleyan answered right back.  Senior Amber Johnson put the Prairie Wolves on the board with a goal in the 50' on an assist by Natalie Graves.

The score would remain 1-1 until the 76th minute when Olivia Denham scored the game-winning goal for the Dutch.  The goal came on an assist by Anissa Stanitzek who sent a cross near the goal where Denham found the open net.

NWU could not respond this time as time expired with the Prairie Wolves on the short end in the season opener.