Seniors shine as Jaguars close out regular season with 2-0 win over Waukee

Ankeny Centennial’s Cady Compton celebrates with Averi Porter after scoring a goal off Porter’s assist during Tuesday’s game against visiting Waukee. Compton later scored again as the Jaguars posted a 2-0 victory in their regular-season finale. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)

The seniors on the Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer team didn’t want their Senior Night to be spoiled by a loss.

Cady Compton scored a pair of goals, Averi Porter and Alanna Pennington each had an assist, and Kate Bergan made a pair of saves en route to her eighth shutout as the eighth-ranked Jaguars closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over No. 10 Waukee.

“Both teams missed some opportunities in the end, but we were able to generate a bit more of an attack in a variety of ways,” said Centennial coach Chris Allen. “It was a nice way to celebrate our seniors and to enter the postseason.”

Centennial finished 3-4-1 in the CIML Conference and improved to 8-6-1 overall. Waukee’s records dropped to 3-5 and 7-7.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Alanna Pennington tries to head the ball toward the goal during Tuesday’s game. She was among the players honored on Senior Night. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

The Warriors were coming off a 2-1 win over No. 2 Valley in a shootout a week ago.

“Waukee was class all night, and I am glad both teams got out of the game relatively healthy,” Allen said. “They shape up well behind the ball and make it difficult to recognize ways forward. They can be dangerous when they decide to press, and they do so well as a team.”

The Jaguars scored the only goal they needed just 2 minutes into the game. After a great run down the left side, Porter found Compton on a cross in front of the goal, and she capitalized.

The score remained 1-0 until late in the game, when Compton took a pass from Pennington and found the net again with a blast in the 78th minute. It was her eighth goal of the season, tying her with Ava Martin for the team lead.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Averi Porter looks to pass the ball during Tuesday’s game. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

Both Compton and Porter have been slowed by knee injuries this season, but the duo has still combined for 10 goals and five assists.

“Cady had a bit of a welcome back party with the brace,” Allen said. “And Porter looked dangerous at times and was critical in creating our first goal. The team showed we can connect passes well and under pressure. Our next step will be to do so with more purpose, and I think they can get there. We had very strong moments tonight.”

The Jaguars will host Iowa City West (5-9) or Des Moines Lincoln (4-11) in a Class 3A regional semifinal on Tuesday.