Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer coach Brian Duax is hoping that history doesn’t repeat itself.
The Jaguars struggled to a 5-12 record last year. It was the first losing season in school history.
Centennial had compiled a 128-35 mark in its previous nine campaigns.
“We all hope last year was a flash in the pan,” said Duax. “We proved we could beat anyone, but also lose to anyone. I think the boys are motivated to get back to competing for state titles.”
The Jaguars proved last April how dangerous they could be in a 3-2 victory at Johnston. The Dragons went on to win their second straight state championship.
Two days later, Centennial dropped a 3-2 decision in overtime to Valley–which also went on to qualify for the Class 4A state tournament.
However, the Jaguars then faltered down the stretch. They closed out the season with four more losses and failed to score a goal in any of them, capped off by a 2-0 loss at Iowa City High in a regional semifinal.
“We haven’t started practice yet as this week is spring break,” Duax said. “But open gyms/turfs went pretty well. I’m excited to start Monday.”
Centennial boasts six returning starters. They are seniors Caleb Murray and Tyson Woerdehoff and juniors Brock Brazeau, Lucas De La Cuba, Tate Duax and Ben Ridlen.
Duax, a midfielder, joined the team at midseason a year ago. He scored two goals and had a team-high six assists.
The coach’s son was named to the Class 4A all-state second team by the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association. He was also selected to the CIML Conference second team, despite struggling at times.
“Tate seems to be back to completely normal,” said coach Duax. “He’s way more comfortable than he was last year coming in midway through the year. He seems to be leading and excited for this spring.”
Duax will need to step up following the graduation of his brother Ty, who led the team with 12 goals and earned all-state honors for the third time. Ty is now playing at Western Illinois.
Tate Duax is also weighing his college options.
“Tate is in the thick of the recruiting trail,” said his father. “We have visited and have offers from Northeastern University and Drake. We are visiting William & Mary and American University this week. There are many others still in contact, but he has really good options so far.”
De La Cuba, a forward, is the team’s top returning scorer. He had six goals and four assists.
Ridlen, a midfielder, contributed one goal and three assists. He joined De La Cuba on the all-conference third team.
Brazeau, who scored one goal and had four assists, received all-conference honorable mention along with Murray and Woerdehoff. Woerdehoff was also an academic all-state pick.
Juniors Mason Goble, Andrew Kruger and Ethan Sextro are among the team’s other returnees. Kruger scored three goals a year ago, while Sextro chipped in one.
Goble had an assist. He earned all-conference honorable mention.
The Jaguars will have to find a starting goalkeeper. Andrew Nelson and his backup, Lucas Durby, both graduated.
Centennial will open the season on April 4-5 with a pair of games at the Iowa City West Invitational. The Jaguars will face Iowa City West, which lost to Johnston in last year’s Class 4A semifinals, and Cedar Rapids Washington.