OTTUMWA — First-year head coach Lindsay Safranek had a winning game plan for the Ottumwa girls soccer team when she took over the program this spring. It only took three games for the Bulldogs to put that game plan to good use on the field.

The Bulldogs dominated Centerville in a battle of area teams Tuesday evening at Walsh Soccer Complex. A consistent offensive attack kept the field tilted on the Ottumwa half of the pitch, establishing a 25-3 shot advantage in a 3-0 victory over the Redettes.

In her first season as a varsity high school head coach, Safranek talked about earning her first career varsity victory.

“To know the girls are learning the things I’ve taught them and are using it in the game is a good feeling,” Safranek said. “It felt good to see the look on their faces when they were putting those things together, using it on the field and having success by working together.”

It was a breakout night for the Bulldogs, who led for just the second time this season when Shayla Robinson scored Ottumwa’s quickest goal this season in the 12th minute. Robinson led the Bulldogs with seven shots on goal.

Emily Kubbe gave Ottumwa its biggest lead of the season with a goal in the 26th minute. Kathy Lopez capped the scoring midway through the second half while Averi Cash got a shutout in her first start of the season in goal.

“We worked a lot the last couple days on formations and how to work together,” Safranek said. “They finally used it exactly how I wanted them to. We’ve made a lot of strides in the past couple days.”

Cassidy Schacher led Centerville with three shots on goal. Nicole Seay made 10 saves to keep the Bulldogs from running away with the win early on Tuesday.

After opening the season with close losses to Oskaloosa and Mount Pleasant, the Bulldogs (1-2) have a chance to even their record while Centerville (0-3) has a chance to even the score. Ottumwa will challenge the Redettes again in Appanoose County on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

“The first couple games were a little shocking for the girls,” Safranek said. “Oskaloosa caught us off balance a little and we weren’t prepared for what happened at Mount Pleasant. They were ready to play and showed it.”

Ottumwa 3, Centerville 0

Cent         0    0    —    0

Ott         2    1    —    3

Scoring Summary

Ottumwa — Shayla Robinson goal, 12:00.

Ottumwa — Emily Kubbe goal, 26:00.

Ottumwa — Kathy Lopez goal, 60:00.

Centerville: Total Shots — 4 (Cassidy Schacher 3). Total Saves — 10 (Nicole Seay 10). Total Fouls — 2.

Ottumwa: Total Shots — 25 (Robinson 7). Total Saves — 4 (Averi Cash 4). Total Fouls — 3.