Hawks oust C.R. Kennedy behind Benge’s brace, will host Linn-Mar Wednesday

Ankeny’s Gannon Ripley boots the ball up the field during Monday’s Class 4A substate semifinal against visiting Cedar Rapids Kennedy at Northview. Ripley helped the Hawks to a 2-0 victory. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)

Earlier this season, the Ankeny boys’ soccer team defeated Cedar Rapids Kennedy before falling to Linn-Mar (Marion) in overtime on March 30.

The Hawks are hoping that history doesn’t repeat itself.

Eighth-ranked Ankeny opened postseason play on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Kennedy in a Class 4A substate semifinal at Northview. The Hawks (10-8) will now host Linn-Mar (10-6) in the substate final on Wednesday at Northview at 7 p.m.

“We played Kennedy earlier and won 3-0, but we knew the intensity would be different as both teams’ seasons were on the line,” said Ankeny junior Austin Lundberg. “We knew what to expect from them and stuck to our game plan and came out on top.”

**Ankeny’s Austin Lundberg chases after the ball during Monday’s game. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

The Cougars finished the season with a 3-12 record.

“Anytime teams are playing for their season, you are going to get their best performance. And Kennedy battled,” said Ankeny coach Trevor Fuccio.

Junior Landon Benge scored both of Ankeny’s goals. He found the net in the 24th minute to put his team ahead, then added an insurance goal late in the game.

Brian Jimenez and Dylan Gloviak each had an assist for the Hawks.

Ankeny’s Landon Benge dribbles the ball between two Cedar Rapids Kennedy defenders during Monday’s game. Benge scored both of the Hawks’ goals and has now scored 13 of the team’s 24 goals on the season. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)

“The boys played really well, especially in the first half,” Fuccio said. “We created a ton of opportunities as we set the tone from the start.”

Benge has now scored 13 of the team’s 24 goals on the season.

“The key to the game was just staying locked in and finishing our chances,” Lundberg said. “Landon had a quality performance tonight. I had four chances in the first 10 minutes and had one go off the field goal post. It was good that Landon had the composure to finish though. I am very thankful for him and how he came through for the team tonight.”

Lundberg also praised the play of Ankeny’s defenders. Goalkeeper Jackson Dockendorff made two saves as the Hawks posted their sixth shutout.

**Ankeny coach Trevor Fuccio watches as Andrew Loder goes on a run with the ball during Monday’s game. (Photo courtesy of Jerrad Downer)**

“You have to give credit to the defense,” Lundberg said. “They only gave up one or two actual chances the entire game.”

Linn-Mar advanced to the substate final with a 1-0 win over Cedar Rapids Prairie in overtime. The Lions also defeated Prairie, 1-0, on April 20.

Ankeny will try to avenge the earlier 3-2 loss. Benge scored both of the Hawks’ goals in that game.

“We are one game away from state and now all of our focus goes to Wednesday,” Fuccio said.