Jaguars finally solve Dowling’s defense, get late goal from freshman for 1-0 win

Ankeny Centennial’s Adeline Kroska looks to pass the ball as teammate Ava Martin (left) looks on during Tuesday’s game against visiting Dowling Catholic. Kroska later scored the game’s only goal off an assist by Martin with just under 10 minutes left to give the Jaguars a 1-0 victory. (Photo by Dan Holm)

One goal was all that the Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer team needed on Tuesday night.

The third-ranked Jaguars finally got it with just under 10 minutes left to play on their home pitch.

Adeline Kroska scored off an assist by Ava Martin, and Centennial went on to beat No. 10 Dowling Catholic, 1-0, in a CIML Conference game.

“We felt if we could get the end line and pass the ball back through the PK mark, we could have a good scoring chance,” said Centennial coach Chris Allen. “Evie (Boyle) found Ava on a long throw that landed. Ava took the end line on skillful dribbling and played the ball above the 6-yard box for Adeline, who finished with certainty and composure.”

**Ankeny Centennial’s Olivia Kroska battles for the ball with Dowling Catholic’s Tess Carmichael during Tuesday’s game. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

It was Kroska’s fourth goal of the season, tying Martin for the team lead. Martin earned her team-leading fourth assist.

Kroska, a freshman, and Mady Postma each took four of Centennial’s 15 shots. The Jaguars connected on 74 percent of their 320 pass attempts in the game.

Centennial threatened at times in the first half, but could not solve the Maroons’ defense. That forced Allen to make some strategic changes at the break.

“I want to give Dowling credit for their game plan,” he said. “They did a nice job of defending patiently and shifting as we looked for openings in the midfield. We found ways to get forward, but they made it hard for us to create chances. I thought coach Sahag had them playing at a high level.

“I have to also give our team credit. The Dowling defensive organization was frustrating, but they kept with it–kept trying to get forward and create chances. We shifted our structure at half and made some personnel adjustments as well. This led to more chances, but nothing on the Dowling side wanted to break,” he added.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Emily Conger tries to gain control of the ball during Tuesday’s game. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Kroska, though, eventually found the net for Centennial, which improved to 3-1 in the conference and 6-1 overall. The Maroons’ records dropped to 1-2 and 4-2.

“Adeline had been a player we moved forward in the new look at half, so we were excited to get the goal by executing one of our keys,” Allen said.

Goalkeeper Rylee Litchfield made one save as the Jaguars posted their sixth shutout of the season. They extended their winning streak to three games.

Centennial will play a non-conference game at Mason City (5-2) on Thursday.