Senior forward/midfielder Rashidi Ishibwami has scored three goals while helping the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer team to a 2-0 start. He had a pair of goals in the Jaguars’ 4-1 victory over visiting Urbandale in their season opener on Thursday.
Last year, Ishibwami scored a team-high 22 goals and also contributed nine assists while helping Centennial to a 16-4 record and a trip to the Class 3A semifinals. He earned all-state second-team honors.
Here is some inside info on Ishibwami:
How is the season going thus far?
Having our first three games of the season cancelled due to terrible weather, our season yet again started with us having to face adversity but fortunately we’ve kept our focus and focused on the things we can control. As of right now, the season is going well with two convincing wins on some must-win games. And as the season goes on, we look to continue the winning mentality and keeping our focus on the things we can control as a team.
You had a first-half goal on Friday at Norwalk, but your team didn’t seal its 4-0 win until Andrew Heckenlaible recorded a hat trick in the second half. What was the key to solving the Warriors’ defense?
Going into this season we knew that teams would look to sit deep against us, and the Norwalk game was a good example of that where they squatted their players and looked to counter. As the coaches tell us, the best way to solve things in situations like this is to remain patient and that’s exactly what we did in the second half and got three goals in a matter of 10 minutes.
Have you been happy with the way you have played in the first two games?
I am happy that I’m able to find the back of the net, and I’m continuously keeping myself hungry to make sure I’m not satisfied with just scoring one or two goals but to also put myself in situations where I can help those around me get better and also improve as a team.
Your team has seven new starters who are getting their first varsity experience. Do you think that group is making some good progress?
Our team has a lot of young talent, and we are inspired to stay competitive and work together as a unit. The guys have definitely stepped up, and they are showing their hunger to keep improving as a team. They are making good progress, and there is still a lot of room for improvement having only played two games thus far.
As one of the few seniors in the lineup, are you trying to be a leader for the team? And if so, how?
Having a lot younger guys on the team, my main focus is being a mentor to the younger players, sharing their experiences and offering guidance to help them grow as athletes and individuals so they can help the team get better.
After playing at No. 1 Dowling Catholic on Tuesday, your team will travel to Nebraska on Thursday to face Omaha Skutt Catholic. Do you know much about their squad?
It is going to be a busy week for us and again another challenging week. I’ve never heard of the school before. We don’t know their key players, but I’ve been sending out a few clips to the team just so we could get a good idea on who we are going to face. They look like they like to go at teams so it will be a good challenge for us.
You combined with teammates Ty Duax and Heckenlaible to rack up 154 points last season. Do you think any team in the state has a better trio of players?
In the last two years, I haven’t seen a school with a trio like us. Other teams have important individual players on their teams, but we are fortunate enough to have this trio and we can beat on teams.
Are you guys competitive with each other to see who can score the most goals, or are you only concerned about winning?
Being competitive against each other is something we are very used to, but between us three it’s never who can score the most goals. We put ourselves in places where we could help the team together because having played with each other we know we are more dangerous when we are working together rather than trying to show off individually.
Goals for the season?
In 2021 we made it to the state quarterfinals and lost to Valley. Last year we made it to the semifinals and lost to Waukee Northwest. It’s time to change that. Our main goal is to walk off of that field on June 3 with the big trophy.
Which teams do you consider to be the favorites to win the state title?
There are some really good schools this year. I hate to sound biased, but here’s a short and simple top five:
1. Centennial
2. Waukee Northwest
3. Dowling Catholic
4. Pleasant Valley
5. Ames
Are you planning to play in college? Have you looked at any schools?
I’ve been talking to a few schools, and I’m looking to close things out pretty soon and find myself a home to play college soccer.