Senior forward Landon Benge is one of 10 returning starters for the Ankeny boys’ soccer team, which opened its season on Friday with a 4-3 loss to visiting Dowling Catholic at Ankeny Stadium. The game was a rematch from last year’s Class 4A quarterfinals, which was won by the Maroons, 3-2.
Benge had a hat trick in the loss. He has committed to play for Drake.
Benge led the Hawks with 14 goals and also had four assists while helping the squad to an 11-9 record last season. He was named to the Class 4A all-state first team and to the CIML Conference first team.
Here is some inside info on Benge:
What did you think of your team’s performance against Dowling?
I thought we definitely had great work ethic and a very solid game. The goals they ended up scoring were off of mistakes on our part and lack of field awareness. Those are things that can easily be fixed.
What do you think was the key to the outcome?
I think it was our lack of awareness that changed the game. There were a few times we were turned off, and that set them apart from us. We were in control most of the game, creating chances and opportunities. If we fix these few moments and use them as learning experiences, we should have a very good season!
After losing to Dowling in last year’s state tournament, were you and your teammates looking to get some revenge? Or did you treat the Maroons like a new opponent in a new season?
I know some of my teammates thought of this game as a time for revenge. Personally, I don’t look for revenge but rather play every game at the best of my ability. It’s a new season and a new team with each game. I treat every game as a must-win game!
How did the Maroons defend you? Did they often put an extra man on you?
They were grabbing me and pulling me back throughout the game. I think they were probably trying to avoid my ability to run in behind after the ball. They always made sure to have someone man marking me throughout the entire game and with that they also usually had one in front of me.
As a returning all-stater, do you expect to be the primary focus of most of your opponents’ defenses?
I think that some teams might be looking to heavily mark me, but I don’t think they will be able to just mark me. We have a team full of very impactful players everywhere on the field. Austin (Lundberg), Brian (Jimenez), Cal (Wahlberg), (Andrew) Loder, Dylan (Gloviak) and many others are playing important roles out there making it difficult for teams to make me the focus. They have to worry about the rest of my team as well.
Your team returns almost its entire starting lineup. Do you think this team will resemble last year’s squad then, or do you think there will be some noticeable differences?
I think there will be more consistency. Obviously, we were a very solid team last year, but there were a few games that should have been wins and weren’t. This year I don’t see that happening, and I see everyone working as hard as possible to make sure we win every game that we can.
Coach Fuccio mentioned to me that he wants this team to be more consistent. Is that something he’s been preaching a lot in practice?
Yes, it is not only being preached by him but also by everyone on the team. We see ourselves as a very high-level team that should go on and win many games this year. This is being preached daily by everyone!
It is a senior-heavy lineup. Are you trying to be a leader for the team, or are there several guys filling that role?
I think that there is a ton of leadership being shown not only seniors but by some of the younger guys as well including Cal, Keaton (Kobow), Jack (Dockendorff) and Ty (Newhard) between leading by example with high work rate or by their voice on the field and in practice showing there is a huge future for the Ankeny Hawks!
Your schedule doesn’t get any easier with a road trip to Valley on tap for Tuesday. What do you think will be the key to beating the Tigers?
I think the key to beating Valley will be playing at a high intensity and having the will to win. We need to focus on our mistakes from Dowling and not allow ourselves to make those same mistakes.
Johnston is the two-time defending Class 4A state champion. Do you think the Dragons will be the team to beat again this season?
No.
You will be headed to Drake in the fall. Was it a relief for you to get the decision out of the way?
I knew Drake was where I wanted to be for a while so when I committed there was a little sense of relief but also a huge amount of excitement for what is next!