The back line for the Ankeny girls’ soccer team faced its biggest test of the season on Thursday.
The Hawkettes were up to the challenge.
Sixth-ranked Ankeny held Dowling Catholic striker Ella Anliker without a goal and defeated the No. 5 Maroons, 2-0, in a CIML Conference game at Dowling.
“With players like Ella, she’s a difference-maker,” said Ankeny coach Simon Brown. “She’s really good, and you have to account for her.”
Anliker had scored a pair of goals in the Maroons’ victory at No. 7 Ankeny Centennial on April 11. But she couldn’t find the net against the Hawkettes, who have yet to concede a goal this season.
“After we scored, we kind of put (Alli) Macke on (Anliker) to shut her down because she’s so effective,” Brown said. “She can score from anywhere.”
Ankeny took a 1-0 lead late in the first half when Riley Kayser scored her first varsity goal off an assist by Camryn Dietz. The freshman started the season on the junior varsity squad, but was recently promoted to the varsity.
“We pulled her up, and now she’s getting some minutes,” Brown said. “That was a big goal for us. It just takes the pressure off when we can score first.”
The Hawkettes needed some other players to step up after freshman Sydney Van Houweling tore her ACL during a game against Council Bluffs Lincoln on March 31. She had surgery last week and will be out for the season.
Emma Gott has also been out with a bad hamstring since the team’s loss at Johnston on April 10.
“We’re a little banged up right now, but kids like Riley have helped us out,” Brown said.
Midway through the second half, Ankeny got an insurance goal from Teja Pritchard. It was her first goal of the season.
“When we go up two (goals), we’re not guaranteed to win but it gives us a lot of confidence,” Brown said.
Ankeny went on to post its sixth shutout. Goalkeeper Jasmine Moser finished with four saves.
“It was a big win for us,” Brown said. “It’s always tough to win on the road, especially in this conference against a top-five team.”
The Hawkettes improved to 3-1 in the league and 6-1 overall. Dowling’s records dropped to 1-2 and 2-2.
Ankeny will host a conference game against No. 1 Waukee Northwest (7-0) on Tuesday.
“They’ve won every game, and they’re probably the clear No. 1 team in the state,” Brown said of the Wolves. “It’s going to be a massive test for us.”