Jenna Pitz and the Ankeny girls’ soccer team appear to be peaking at the right time.
Pitz scored the game’s only goal in the first half and the fourth-ranked Hawkettes went on to beat visiting Valley, 1-0, in the CIML Conference finale for both teams on Friday. The No. 2 Tigers were held scoreless for only the second time this season.
“It’s a really big result because they’re a really good team,” said Ankeny coach Simon Brown. “There were moments where we couldn’t get out of our half, and we maybe only had three, four or five shots in the game to probably 10 to 15 for them. But we scored early off a corner kick, and then we just kind of hung on. The girls defended really well.”
The win allowed Ankeny to move ahead of the Tigers in the final conference standings. The Hawkettes finished 5-2-1 in the league and improved to 9-3-1 overall, while Valley’s records dropped to 5-3 and 12-3.
“This was a really big win for our team, especially heading into the postseason,” said Pitz. “I think we created a good momentum for ourselves and set ourselves up really nicely moving forward.”
Pitz scored the game-winner off an assist by Teja Pritchard.
“Teja played a perfect ball off of the corner,” Pitz said. “It was headed to the back post, and I was lucky enough to be on the end of it. The ball could not have been any better so all the credit goes to Teja on that goal. I am really proud of how the team played all around. I thought everyone played with a lot of energy, giving us momentum as we head into tournament play.”
It was the third goal of the season for Pitz, and the second in the last two games for the senior defender.
“She’s just a presence up there,” Brown said of Pitz. “She’s definitely one of the girls we target for in the box. She’s had a crazy good year as a defender, and she’s been able to chip in a couple of goals as well. She’s peaking at the right time.”
Ankeny goalkeeper Jasmine Moser recorded another clean sheet. The Hawkettes posted their ninth shutout.
“We did a good job of forcing them to take shots from distance, which plays into her game,” Brown said. “It’s going to take a lot to beat Jasmine from outside the 18 with a shot.”
It’s going to take a lot to beat Ankeny. Period.
“We’re right there with Valley and Waukee Northwest,” Brown said. “If you look at the stats, we’re probably the best defensive team in the state right now. We don’t have the quality or the depth of players that they might have, but we defend so, so well. It’s going to take a lot to beat us.”
Ankeny will close out the regular season on Monday by hosting a non-conference game against Iowa City West (5-8).
