A big early lead was just what the Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer team needed.
Facing back-to-back games in postseason play due to Tuesday’s postponement, the eighth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 5-0 halftime lead and rolled past visiting Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 9-0, in a Class 3A regional semifinal on Wednesday.
“We had an opportunity to rotate some kids through, and we also brought up some JV kids to rest some varsity players if the opportunity arose,” said Centennial coach Chris Allen. “We took advantage of the lead in the first half and were able to get a lot of minutes of rest for some kids to prepare for (Thursday).”
McKenna Hilton and Ava Martin each had a hat trick as the Jaguars improved to 12-6 on the season. Jefferson finished with a 6-12 record.
Martin has now scored a team-high 12 goals on the season, while Hilton ranks second with six goals. Martin also had three assists on Wednesday, and Hilton added one.
“They both had really good nights,” Allen said. “Hilton’s first goal stood as the game-winning goal, and Ava did a good job of looking ahead the whole game. We probably left a couple of goals on the table with Ava’s passes where she was looking for her teammates.”
Emily Conger, Addison Fair and Ava Waalk also had goals for Centennial. Mady Postma contributed three assists, and McKenna Gray and Gabby Lawrence each added one.
“Kenna got some minutes tonight, and so did Evie Boyle,” Allen said. “They’ve both been out with some injuries.”
The Jaguars will host No. 11 Southeast Polk (11-6) in the regional final on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Rams advanced with a 6-0 victory over Indianola.
Centennial edged Southeast Polk, 2-1, on May 7.
“The regional final is always a tough game,” Allen said. “But a good challenge going into state is not a bad thing.”