A matchup between two of the state’s top five girls’ soccer teams in Class 3A was decided by a lone goal.
Alli Macke scored on a free kick in the second half and fifth-ranked Ankeny went on to post a 1-0 victory at No. 3 Waukee in the CIML Conference opener for both squads on Friday.
“The ball went off the bar, and the linesman called the goal,” said Ankeny coach Simon Brown.
Ankeny finished with 16 shots, nine of them on goal. Camryn Dietz (five shots) and Ava Paoli (four) accounted for more than half of the attempts.
All three of Macke’s shots were on goal, including the game-winner.
“It was a great result to show we can compete, outshoot and knock off the No. 3 team in the state away from home,” Brown said. “We created loads of half-decent chances and the big chances their keeper made some massive saves to keep the game 0-0. We created enough chances to win the game, and in the end it was a free kick from Macke that was the difference.”
Ankeny goalkeeper Claire Close made four saves as the Hawkettes improved their record to 2-1. Waukee, which had outscored its first three opponents by a 24-0 margin, dropped to 3-1 overall.
“It’s really tough to win CIML games, especially hard to win away and keep a clean sheet,” Brown said.
Ankeny will host a conference game against No. 6 Johnston (2-2) on Tuesday. The Dragons are coming off a 2-0 loss to No. 2 Waukee Northwest in their league opener on Friday.
“We are looking forward to our next challenge as a young group against the defending state champions,” Brown said.