Senior midfielder Kennedy Macke is one of eight returning starters for the Ankeny girls’ soccer team. She helped the Hawkettes to a 14-5 record and a second-place finish in Class 3A last season.
Macke scored five goals and had 10 assists. She was named to the Class 3A all-state second team and was a unanimous pick to the CIML Iowa Conference first team.
Here is some inside info on Macke:
How are the practices going thus far?
Practices have been going very well. All the newcomers are gelling well with the team’s dynamics. We’ve been focusing on the defensive third the most, trying to establish a good back line first and then we will work up from there.
Do you feel like this team is further along than last year’s squad, since that team was coming off a missed season due to COVID-19 and this year’s squad has a lot of experience?
I definitely feel like we are off to a good start this year. With all the experience and returners we have coming back this year, it feels like we are a step ahead of where we were last year after missing out on an entire season in 2020. The high level of leadership and communication this team brings has allowed us to progress faster.
Your team will open the season on Friday against Waukee and Saturday against Council Bluffs Lincoln as part of the Crosstown Invitational that will be co-hosted by Ankeny Centennial. Do you expect both of those teams to provide a big challenge?
Opening up the season against Waukee will be a challenge with all of the unknowns at hand. With the Waukee split and it being so early in the season, it’s hard to know what to expect. I expect our game against Council Bluffs Lincoln to be a good one. As they are a team that you can expect to see in the state tournament, we will have to come out and perform.
Your team defeated Waukee in last year’s Class 3A semifinals, but the Waukee school district then split into two schools with the opening of Waukee Northwest. Do you know if Waukee has very many returning players?
I personally don’t know of any players returning to Waukee, but knowing their program they will always put together a talented team.
Are you trying to be more of a leader for the team now that you’re a senior? And if so, how?
Having been a captain last year and now again this year, I feel that it is my responsibility to ensure that the team continues to develop and achieve our goals.
Goals for the season?
Winning state is obviously a huge thing on all of our minds and the ultimate goal we want to achieve, especially having come up short last year. As a team, we know that there are many games that will lead up to that point and that we have to take it game by game. We need to focus on the things that come before to help get us where we want to be.
Ankeny has played in the last three Class 3A championship games dating back to 2018. Is that the expectation for the program now–to reach the title game every year?
Being a part of a program with great tradition, coaching and talent, it’s always our goal to make a deep run at state. Our primary focus is controlling what we can now, to put us in the best position as we approach the end of the season.
Your sister, Alli, is a freshman midfielder on the squad. Do you expect her to make an impact this season?
Alli brings toughness and speed to a position that will hopefully help us generate more offense this year. We’ve never had the opportunity to play on the same field so I’m excited to get to finish my high school career alongside of her and the rest of my teammates!
Your team will play Centennial on May 3, and an effort has been launched in the community to attract a crowd of at least 7,343 people–which would break the record for the largest attendance ever at a soccer match in Iowa. Do you think our city is up for that challenge, and what do you think it would be like to play in front of a crowd that big?
I think our city is definitely up for the challenge. With how intense the rivalry between Ankeny and Centennial is and the talent all four teams have to display this year, I think this goal is very achievable. Playing in front of a crowd that big would be crazy and something high school soccer players are not used to.
You have signed a letter of intent to play for Minnesota State-Mankato next year. Do you think it will be a big adjustment for you to play on that level?
Any college sport takes some adjustments just because of how different the atmosphere is compared to high school and club. I’ve had an opportunity to practice with the team and attend a few camps. I feel like this is a good fit for me going forward. I believe my coaches Simon Brown, Sarah Lynn and Daryl Brazeau have prepared me for the future.
What are you planning to study?
I plan on majoring in marketing with a minor in graphic design.