It took awhile, but the Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer team finally solved Urbandale’s defense to earn a road victory in CIML Conference play on Friday.
The third-ranked Jaguars scored three goals in the second half to post a 3-0 win. They improved to 2-1 in the league and 5-1 overall, while No. 13 Urbandale’s records dropped to 0-3 and 3-3-1.
It was Centennial’s fifth shutout of the season.
“Urbandale did a good job of getting a lot of numbers behind the ball and entered our half a few times on the counter, but we were able to reduce the threat,” said Centennial coach Chris Allen. “I am proud of our resilience to stick with it and try to solve the problems of the game.”
The Jaguars took a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute when freshman Adeline Kroska scored her third goal of the season. She connected off a pass from Ava Martin, who picked up her team-leading third assist.
“It took us more than a half, but we moved some players around and Ava was able to play Adeline in for the first goal,” Allen said. “We moved Adeline to an attacking midfield position to start the second half, hoping to capitalize on her desire to get forward quickly.”
Centennial added an own goal in the 56th minute to extend the lead to 2-0. Then, at the 67-minute mark, Josie Ehlinger headed the ball into the net off a cross from fellow sophomore McKenna Gray.
It was the first varsity goal of Ehlinger’s career.
“I made a run, took someone 1v1, cut it to the end line, got my head up, and saw two in the back. And just hit the ball,” Gray said of her assist. “We struggled to find the goal in the first half, but we found a way in the second half to get on the board.”
Centennial goalkeeper Rylee Litchfield was seldom challenged in the game. She made only one save.
The Jaguars, meanwhile, fired off 26 shots–10 of them on goal. Martin led the way with seven shots.
“I thought the various combinations of outside backs that we played did a nice job getting forward and creating,” Allen said. “Just about all of our girls had a chance to get on the field, and they all did a nice job playing the soccer we hoped to play. It was a resilient conference win to send us into the weekend.”
Gray, a defender, was able to contribute on both ends of the field.
“I was able to get forward knowing I had players behind me and the communication to get up the field,” Gray said.
The Jaguars will host a conference game against No. 10 Dowling Catholic on Tuesday. The Maroons are 1-1 in the league and 4-1 overall.