Aberdeen Central scored twice in the first three minutes and never looked back en route to a 5-0 shutout of Yankton in Eastern South Dakota Conference girls’ soccer action at Golden Eagles Field Saturday.

Courtney Nipp and Taryn Hettich, both seniors, celebrated their final regular season home game with those opening goals.

Lauren Joosten added a goal in the 28th minute, and Deshani Peters capped the scoring with a goal in the first half and a second right away in the second half.

“We did a good job of coming out intense and putting a lot of pressure on them early before they could get their feet under them,” said Central coach Merle Aske. “Yankton is a really young team, so if you can put a lot of pressure on a team … and get that early goal, they’re scrambling and trying to get something.”

That pressure turned into a 15-5 advantage in shots on goal for the Golden Eagles. 

Aske also noted his squad had about 10 days off recently, and was able to put a lot of focus on its own game without the pressure of preparing for a new opponent.

“We’re doing a lot better job these last few games of filling in and rotating different positions as we’re going forward and as we’re defending,” he said. “We’re always in the right position.”

Hettich, who has been a member of the Golden Eagle squad for six seasons and serves as a team captain this season, said this final regular season win was special.

“It feels great,” she said. “Our warm-up was amazing. Our locker room energy is always amazing and today was just full of excitement, and it carried through to the game.”

Central has one game remaining, heading to Mitchell Tuesday before turning its attention to the postseason. The Eagles are 9-1-1 on the season.

“We’re very comfortable with where we are,” Hettich said. “Obviously, we want to keep pushing forward and growing every day and make sure we stay on the gas pedal. But we’re happy with the direction we’re heading.”

Yankton 0 0 – 0

Aberdeen Central 4 1 – 5

First Half

1, AC, Courtney Nipp (Kaylin Poppen), 2nd minute; 2, AC, Taryn Hettich (Deshani Peters), 3rd minute; 3, AC, Lauren Joosten (Kamryn Arnesen), 28th minute; 4, AC, Deshani Peters (unassisted), 38th minute.

Second Half

5, AC, Deshani Peters (unassisted), 45th minute.

Shots on Goal: Yankton 5; Aberdeen Central 15.

Goalkeepers: Yankton, Alex Schmidt (7 saves); Aberdeen Central, Ciara Frank (4 saves), Taylor Thorstenson (1 save).