The Ankeny girls’ soccer team got a tougher-than-expected matchup in its postseason opener.
The second-ranked Hawkettes defeated visiting Ames, 2-0, in a Class 3A regional semifinal on Tuesday. The Little Cyclones finished the season with a 10-9 mark.
“I think they got screwed with their seed–they’re not a 4 seed,” said Ankeny coach Simon Brown. “And we got screwed having to play a good team like Ames with a 10-8 record. We knew it was going to be a battle. I would have preferred an easier game and a lot more goals, but it’s good that we’re creating chances, keeping clean sheets and the girls had to battle because it’s not going to be easy from here on out and it shouldn’t be easy.”
Alli Macke and Emma Gott each had a goal for Ankeny, which raised its record to 11-3-1.
“Once we got a goal, I knew we were pretty much fine,” said Macke. “But it was nice to get another one after that. Ames is actually a really good team. I think they’re very underrated, and they played a good game. We just got a couple of goals, and it worked out.”
The Hawkettes took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute. After a shot by Liz Proctor just missed, Macke scored on the rebound for her sixth goal of the season.
“It was off of a great shot from Liz, and I just got a lucky tap in,” Macke said. “She did all the work, and I just got to finish it for her.”
Gott added an insurance goal in the 55th minute, her second of the year. She scored off an assist by Teja Pritchard.
Gott missed several games this season due to an injury.
“We’re just banged up,” Brown said. “Cam(ryn Dietz) got hurt 2 minutes into the game, and she’s our top goal scorer. We’ve just been getting by all year because it’s been a tough year with injuries. Hopefully, it’s not too bad, but she had a little problem with some blood in her eye.”
Ankeny goalkeeper Jasmine Moser finished with three saves. She was seldom under pressure, though, as the Hawkettes dominated the run of play.
Ankeny will host Urbandale (12-6) in the regional final on Thursday at 4 p.m. The game was moved up due to Urbandale’s graduation ceremony later that night.
The J-Hawks advanced with a 5-0 win over Sioux City East.
“Every game with a CIML team is going to be tough,” Brown said. “They’re a good team, and I think that score line the last time flattered us a little bit. We hit a lot of shots from outside the 18. On another day like tonight, they may not go in. But we’ll be ready.”
Ankeny posted a 4-0 win over Urbandale on May 9. Dietz had a pair of goals for the Hawkettes, while Macke and Jenna Pitz each added one.
“That’s nice (that we beat them once), and it’s always good to play at home,” Macke said. “I think our coaches will do a great job of getting us ready for the game.”