‘The boys battled their brains out’: Jags post 3-2 win over defending champs

**Ankeny Centennial’s Ty Duax scores one of his two goals during Tuesday’s game at Johnston. He led the Jaguars to a 3-2 victory over the No. 2 team in Class 4A. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

The Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer team finally put it all together on Tuesday night.

The Jaguars got a pair of goals from Ty Duax and another from Lucas De La Cuba in a 3-2 victory at second-ranked Johnston, handing the defending state champion Dragons their second straight loss.

“It was a good win. It was very hard-fought,” said Centennial coach Brian Duax. “The boys battled their brains out. (The win) was much deserved and much needed.”

**Ankeny Centennial’s Tate Duax dribbles the ball past a Johnston defender during Tuesday’s game. He had a pair of assists in the Jaguars’ win. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

Centennial took a 1-0 lead in the first half when Ty Duax scored off an assist from his brother, Tate. The same duo combined for another goal in the second half to extend the Jaguars’ advantage to 3-1.

“It was a really good performance,” said Duax. “The boys bought in and executed the game plan very well and finished some chances. It was really nice to see. We knew because of Johnston’s tendencies and where their weaknesses were, when they were attacking we wanted to find Ty or Tate out wide as the counter attack because they play with three center backs and if you can pull those center backs out wide, then they’re 1-on-1.

“And we were torching them today,” he added.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Lucas De La Cuba celebrates after scoring a goal during Tuesday’s game. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

De La Cuba scored the Jaguars’ other goal off an assist from Mason Goble. Carlos Martinez had both of Johnston’s goals.

Centennial goalkeeper Andrew Nelson made six saves in the win.

“The final score probably could have been worse, but we gave up (a goal) with about 4 minutes left,” Duax said.

The Jaguars improved to 2-2 in the CIML Conference and 5-7 overall. Johnston’s records dropped to 3-2 and 8-2.

**Ankeny Centennial goalkeeper Andrew Nelson puts the ball into play during Tuesday’s game. He had six saves in the Jaguars’ win. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

“For as young as we are, we’ve battled to the level of competition,” Duax said. “We’ve lost some games that we were probably the superior team, but we’ve also beaten some perennial powers–and Johnston is obviously a perennial power. The boys have risen to the challenge against some really good teams. If we play our best game, we can compete with and beat anybody. But if we don’t, we struggle.”

The Jaguars will host a conference game against No. 5 Valley on Thursday at Northview. The Tigers are 1-2 in the league and 7-3 overall.

Valley has won its last five games, including a 3-0 triumph over Johnston on Friday.

“It’s going to be another difficult test for us,” Duax said.