The Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer team couldn’t figure out a way to stop Valley star Preston Kipnusu.
The senior forward recorded a hat trick, including the game-winning goal in overtime, as the fifth-ranked Tigers posted a 3-2 win over Centennial on Thursday at Northview.
“It’s really difficult to defend him,” said Centennial coach Brian Duax. “We were trying to double him, but he’s really good at drawing fouls so then he gets the opportunity to get into the box with his big old head. I don’t think we gave up another shot on goal other than the three we gave up.”
Kipnusu scored his first two goals on headers. The Tigers held a 2-0 lead with 14 minutes left in regulation before Centennial rallied.
“We were kind of Jekyll and Hyde again,” Duax said. “I would say for the first 65 minutes we didn’t play with a lot of energy and didn’t have a lot of movement. But then per usual this year, once we go down two (goals), we decide that we can play and then we had the momentum.”
The Jaguars closed the gap to 2-1 when Ty Duax converted a penalty kick after his brother, Tate, was fouled in the box. Lucas De La Cuba then scored the equalizer on a set piece.
Centennial had some chances to score the game-winner, but couldn’t capitalize. In the end, Kipnusu found the net again for his 17th goal of the season, the most in Class 4A.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow when you’re the better side, but unfortunately I don’t have anybody on my squad who is 6-foot-5 and can defend a 6-5 guy in the air all the time,” Duax said. “He got in behind us in overtime and slotted one home. I thought we had him defended, but he hit a good shot to finish.”
Colton Horn, Graham Kenworthy and Theo Jackson each had an assist for Valley, which extended its winning streak to six games. The Tigers are now 2-2 in the CIML Conference and 8-3 overall.
Centennial’s records dropped to 2-3 and 5-8.
“That is not a vintage Valley soccer team,” said Duax, who once starred for the Tigers. “They never really connected passes, but they do play to their strengths well.”
The Jaguars will host a non-conference game against Pleasant Valley (7-2) on Saturday.
