Senior midfielder/defender Caleb Murray has helped the Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer team to a 5-2 record, including a 2-1 mark in the CIML Conference. The Jaguars extended their winning streak to four games with a 2-0 victory over visiting Urbandale on Friday.
Murray earned all-conference honorable mention as a junior for Centennial, which will travel to Dowling Catholic on Tuesday for a conference game against the Maroons.
Here is some inside info on Murray:
Congratulations on the team’s outstanding start. What has been the key to the turnaround from last year’s 5-12 record?
I think the biggest thing is our attitude. Just having an attitude that we aren’t going to roll over, that we are going to fight for every ball for our teammates. I also believe that we have all matured a ton from last year. We had a lot of players including myself starting for the first time, so just getting those minutes under our belts was very helpful.
Have you been surprised by the team’s success thus far?
No, I think we all knew that we had a very talented team but the question was always would we put the hard work in and work together as a family to win games. So far, we have and I believe that we can continue to do so.
Your team posted a 2-1 victory over Ankeny in the annual Ankeny Derby on April 14. How did it feel to win your last rivalry game?
It felt great. It is always a tough game with everyone on both teams hungry for the win. Especially with it being my senior year and with us losing this game last year, this was a game I had marked on my calendar.
What was your team’s strategy to contain high-scoring Ankeny forward Landon Benge, who had the Hawks’ only goal midway through the second half?
In last year’s game, Lando was shut down for all but one minute and in that one minute he scored on us, so a big focus was to stay turned on the whole game and to not let him have it easy–doing whatever we can to limit his time and opportunities on the ball.
Your team has a freshman goalkeeper, Will Kreuger, who recorded his second clean sheet against Urbandale and has now racked up 58 saves. Have you been impressed with how he has stepped into the lineup and played?
Yeah, obviously coming into this year I was a little nervous but he has really impressed. Every game he seems to gain more and more confidence. I’m excited to see how he grows this year.
Coach Duax told me that your playing time was reduced in the win over Urbandale, due to the team’s game plan and the return of Ben Ridlen to the lineup. But he applauded you for how you handled that. Was it just a matter of having a team-first attitude?
Yes, I knew coming into this game that my playing style was not what the team needed, and that to win this game we would need more offensive opportunities. I was happy to give up minutes to see the team succeed.
You are one of only six seniors on the team. Are you trying to be a leader for the squad, and if so, in what other ways are you trying to lead?
Yeah for sure, I’m just trying to show the underclassmen the standard that we have here and how no matter who you are we expect a lot of hard work from each and every player.
Your next opponent, Dowling, lost to Urbandale but defeated the same lowa City West squad that beat your team in the season opener on April 4. What do you know about the Maroons?
Not a ton, but they have always had a talented team that will be hard to beat.
Do you think your team can contend for the conference title and perhaps make a deep run in the postseason?
For sure, this is a very talented and hardworking team. If we continue to believe and stay hungry, I think we can be very successful.
Are you planning to play soccer at the next level?
No.
What are you going to study?
Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University.