Martin ties career scoring record with 41st goal, leads Jaguars to 4-1 win over Ames

Ankeny Centennial’s Ava Martin celebrates after scoring her second goal during Monday’s game against visiting Ames. The goal was the 41st of her career, tying the school record held by Claire Dahm. The Jaguars went on to post a 4-1 victory. (Photo courtesy of Robin Litchfield)

Ava Martin’s final soccer game on Ankeny Centennial’s turf field proved to be a memorable one.

Martin recorded a brace to tie the school’s career scoring record while leading the third-ranked Jaguars to a 4-1 victory over No. 13 Ames in a non-conference game on Monday. The senior forward has now scored 41 career goals, tying the mark set previously by Claire Dahm.

“Overall, I think we had a solid game,” said Martin. “At times, it was evident that it was our fourth game in four days, but we responded well to the challenge. We did a good job of taking endlines and creating chances from there and keeping Ames in their own half. It was refreshing to see the ball go in the net and get a nice lead in the first half.”

**Ankeny Centennial’s Evie Boyle boots a corner kick during the first half of Monday’s game. The kick resulted in an own goal. (Photo courtesy of Robin Litchfield)**

Centennial got off to a fast start, scoring twice in the first 8 minutes. A corner kick by Evie Boyle led to an own goal in the 7th minute.

Then, about a minute later, Martin scored off an Emily Conger assist to give the Jaguars a 2-0 advantage.

“We liked how we started, getting in on goal multiple times and being pretty dynamic in how we attacked,” said Centennial coach Chris Allen. “This work resulted in two early goals. We settled a bit after this and allowed Ames to have the ball a bit more than we would have liked, and they made the most of their only chance. We know what we need to do to prevent this from happening again, so it was a good learning moment for our defense.”

After Simay Zhu found the net in the 32nd minute to put the Little Cyclones on the board, Centennial answered with another goal late in the half. Martin tied the record when she scored off an assist by Adeline Kroska.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Adeline Kroska tries to settle the ball during Monday’s game. She had an assist in the Jaguars’ win. (Photo courtesy of Robin Litchfield)**

“I never really thought about the day actually being here or if it would or could happen, but I’ve had this as a goal in the back of my mind for awhile!” Martin said.

Conger picked up her second assist when she set up Mady Postma for the game’s final goal in the 44th minute.

“The team did a really great job after a heavy load of soccer over the weekend,” said Conger, whose team went 2-1 in the Tournament of Champions on Friday and Saturday. “We had a good response to giving up a goal in the first half, and we came back in the second half to widen the lead. During the game, we were never satisfied and continued chasing more goals. Throughout the game, I tried to execute the game plan we had talked through. I focused on giving the team runs up the outside of the field and taking endline. The team and myself had a strong showing in Bettendorf this past weekend, and we tried to build off of that tonight.”

**Ankeny Centennial’s Emily Conger looks to pass the ball during Monday’s game. She had a pair of assists in the Jaguars’ victory. (Photo courtesy of Robin Litchfield)**

Centennial finished with nine corner kicks while allowing just one. The Jaguars improved to 10-3 on the season, while Ames’ record dropped to 7-4-1.

“All in all, the girls have put in work over the past four days, so we have to keep that perspective,” Allen said. “They have to be mentally and physically exhausted at this point. Yes, we gave up a goal, but then we responded by getting two more. That response is something to be proud of.”

Centennial will host a CIML Conference game against No. 4 Waukee (6-1-2) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The contest will be played at Ankeny Stadium.

“We’re looking forward to facing Waukee now!” Martin said.