Truckie found another gear on Friday night.
Andrew Heckenlaible recorded a hat trick in the first half, and the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer team went on to post a 5-0 victory at Southeast Polk in a non-conference game.
“He played well tonight,” Centennial coach Brian Duax said of Heckenlaible. “When him and Ty (Duax) and Rashidi (Ishibwami) are all working together and playing together, it’s really fun to watch. Today was definitely one of those moments.”
Heckenlaible had scored just two goals in the first six games after racking up 17 goals in his freshman season last year. On Friday, he exceeded his season total in the first half alone as the Jaguars built a 3-0 lead.
Duax and Ishibwami each added a goal in the second half as Centennial raised its record to 6-1. The Rams dropped to 1-4.
“It was a good game,” coach Duax said. “The first 20 minutes or so we weren’t quite dialed in, but then once we started scoring, they came pretty hot and heavy.”
Duax and Jackson Helmkamp each contributed two assists. Heckenlaible and Ishibwami each added one.
The trio of Duax, Heckenlaible and Ishibwami has now combined for 17 goals and 15 assists in seven games.
“We keep trying to be too individual,” coach Duax said. “But we keep chirping at them that they need to be more team-oriented and share the ball. And really, all five goals were us sharing the ball and dissecting Southeast Polk.”
The Jaguars posted their fifth shutout. Goalkeeper Andrew Nelson made three saves before being replaced by Brooks Wee, who made two more saves over the final 10 minutes.
“Our back line has been pretty stout this entire year,” Duax said. “We’ve given up four goals so far, and three of the four have been on set pieces.”
Centennial will host a non-conference game against Des Moines Lincoln (0-5) on Thursday.