The season came to an end on Wednesday afternoon for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer teams at Cownie Park.
The second-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 1-0 decision to No. 7 Dowling Catholic in a Class 3A quarterfinal at the state tournament. The Maroons (11-6) avenged an earlier 2-0 loss to Ankeny (12-4-1).
Lauren McCoy scored the game’s only goal in the 60th minute. The Hawkettes played most of the contest without starting defender Liz Proctor, who injured her knee in the first half.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this with all these injuries–bodies just dropping so much,” said Ankeny coach Simon Brown. “These girls have just given so much for the team, and for that I’m really grateful.”
No. 8 Centennial, meanwhile, suffered a 2-0 loss to No. 1 Waukee Northwest. The defending champion Jaguars finished the season at 10-7-1.
Northwest (17-1) took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Josie Vande Krol in the 11th minute. Alaina Steding converted a penalty kick midway through the second half for an insurance goal.
Northwest also defeated the Jaguars, 3-1, on May 12.
“They’re a super talented team,” Centennial goalkeeper Kate Bergan said of the Wolves. “I play club with a bunch of them, and they’re all really great people. They deserve to go on and just keep taking it to all the other teams.”
Friday’s semifinals will feature four CIML Conference schools. Northwest will play No. 4 Valley (15-3), while Dowling will face No. 3 Johnston (14-4).
Check back later for more coverage of the quarterfinal games.