Despite losing another key player to an injury, the Ankeny girls’ soccer team is headed back to the Class 3A state tournament.
The second-ranked Hawkettes, who lost co-leading scorer Camryn Dietz to a torn retina two days earlier, posted a 3-0 victory over No. 12 Urbandale in a regional final on Thursday at Ankeny. They advanced to state for the fourth straight season under coach Simon Brown.
“We just have so many injuries,” said Brown. “But the girls are doing an incredible job. It’s really impressive.”
Sophie Loeffler, Riley Kayser and Teja Pritchard each scored a goal in the second half as Ankeny (12-3-1) defeated its CIML Conference rival for the second time. The J-Hawks finished the season at 12-7.
“It feels awesome to be going back to state,” said Pritchard. “I’m so proud of our whole team and everything we’ve accomplished this year. We’re missing three of our starters, but we’re playing for them and that motivates us.”
The Hawkettes had rolled to a 4-0 win over Urbandale on May 9. But Thursday’s rematch proved to be much closer.
The two teams went to the locker room at halftime tied at 0-0.
“We actually had to rely on (goalkeeper) Jasmine (Moser) for two big stops,” Brown said. “She stepped up big. I don’t know how many clean sheets she’s had in her career, but it’s incredible.”
Ankeny finally got on the board in the 47th minute, when Loeffler found the net with a shot that blasted off the right post following a throw-in pass from Emma Gott.
“I really didn’t think it was going in. I was surprised,” said Loeffler. “But Emma does amazing throw-ins every time, so it’s really nice when we can put one in.”
Kayser later scored off a pass from Liz Proctor in the 69th minute. She drilled a shot that went through the arms of Urbandale goalkeeper Molly Braaten.
“That ball came from Liz for me to get there, so I can’t take all the credit,” Kayser said. “It was a great pass.”
Kayser, a freshman, is among the players who have seen more playing time due to the rash of injuries.
“Every time I get (the ball), I know it’s my motivation just to put everything I can into it,” she said. “Sometimes I get tired, but I just have to push through it.”
Pritchard later converted a penalty kick in the 77th minute to complete the scoring.
“Our defense does amazing, our midfield supports the defense, and our forwards find the back of the net for us,” Pritchard said. “It’s a team effort.”
Ankeny will face No. 7 Dowling Catholic (10-6) in a Class 3A quarterfinal on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Cownie Park in Des Moines. The Hawkettes posted a 2-0 triumph at Dowling on April 20.
Ankeny reached the semifinals a year ago before dropping a 1-0 decision to Council Bluffs Lincoln in overtime.
“Last year we definitely should have gone farther,” said Moser. “It would have been fantastic to play Ankeny Centennial in the finals to see how that game would have gone down. We have some unfinished business for sure, and we’re going to get work done down there.”
Even with a depleted lineup, the Hawkettes’ stingy defense will make them a threat to capture their second title in the last four seasons.
“I think our team has always been strong on defense. That’s something we’re feared for,” Moser said. “I think even with the injuries that we have our team can still push forward because we trust and love each other that much.”
