For much of Friday’s game against visiting Cedar Falls, the ball didn’t bounce right for the Ankeny girls’ soccer team.
The fifth-ranked Hawkettes struggled to find the net in a Class 3A regional final, and the chances of going to overtime grew more and more likely as the minutes ticked off the clock in the second half.
“I was definitely worried,” said Ankeny junior Avery Taylor. “I felt the nerves, and I think we all did. We were really hungry for a goal. Going into the second half, we were all frustrated with how the game was going. We got a little bit unlucky in the first half, but it definitely fueled the fire in the second.”
With just under 13 minutes remaining in regulation time, Ankeny finally got the bounce it needed.
A shot by Alli Macke deflected off a Cedar Falls defender and went over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Alexis Montgomery. The ball settled into the net for the winning goal, giving Ankeny a 1-0 victory over the No. 12 Tigers and a berth in next week’s state tournament.
“That’s kind of been the way our season has gone,” said Macke. “Some games we score a ton, and some games it’s harder than others. We knew that they were going to play a tough game against us. They didn’t want to lose, and they wanted to go to state just as much as we did. It took awhile, but we got the goal and it counts–and we’re going to state.”
Friday’s game was eerily similar to the season opener on April 1 at Ankeny, which the Hawkettes also won, 1-0. They outshot Cedar Falls by a 37-0 margin in that game.
“Cedar Falls’ game plan is to stop teams from scoring,” said Ankeny coach Simon Brown, whose team improved to 11-2-3. “It was the same thing in the game at the start of the year. They’re not necessarily looking to score with counterattacks, but credit to them. They always give us a tough game.”
Ankeny had numerous chances to score in the first half, but was unable to capitalize.
“We could’ve started the game up by three or four goals, we had so many good chances,” Brown said. “And it would’ve been a completely different game.”
Taylor credited Cedar Falls’ backline for stifling the Hawkettes’ attack.
“They were scrappy, they were everywhere,” she said. “They’re just right on the ball when you touch it. They’re a good team, so kudos to them.”
When Ankeny did manage to get a shot off, Montgomery repeatedly showed why she is one of the state’s top keepers.
“She had a really great game,” Macke said. “I think Syd(ney Van Houweling) had a fabulous shot top right in the first 5 minutes, and she made a great save. She was just all over the place all night, so props to her.”
A shot by Macke from the right side with about 14 minutes left was scooped up by Montgomery.
Then, less than 60 seconds later, Macke took another shot from about the same spot. This one found the net, ending the Tigers’ season at 10-5-2.
Ava Paoli got the assist, her team-leading eighth of the season.
“It did take a little bit of a deflection, and it went over the goalie’s head,” Macke said. “Then it went in the net.”
The goal was Macke’s team-leading 16th of the season. The Iowa recruit has now produced 42 percent of the team’s 38 goals in 16 games.
“Credit to Macke–she stepped up in a big moment and scored a goal when the team needed it,” Brown said. “However it went in–I think it hit the girl’s backside–we just needed a little luck tonight. The ball wouldn’t land for us.”
Ankeny will be making its sixth consecutive state tournament appearance under Brown, who is departing after the season. He guided the Hawkettes to the Class 3A crown in 2019.
“I’m happy for the girls,” he said. “I think the group deserves to go to state. They’ve faced a lot of adversity this year.”
Macke and fellow seniors like Camryn Dietz and Sophie Loeffler will try to close out their careers in style.
“It’s awesome,” Macke said. “Just even to have an opportunity to play at state four times now is just so unreal, and I’m so grateful for this team and this program.”
The Hawkettes will play No. 4 Waukee (9-1-6) in a Class 3A quarterfinal on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. The game will be played on Field 2 at the Lied Recreational Fields on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames.
“It feels so good, especially making it to state for the third time in my career,” Taylor said. “It’s always such a special feeling knowing that we have another week together.”
Waukee advanced to the tournament with a 1-0 win over No. 13 Dowling Catholic. Stella Braddock scored the game’s only goal, while Lauren Nidey made eight saves for the Warriors.
“They’re scrappy,” Brown said. “I think their main mindset is to not score, but to stop you from scoring. They put people behind the ball and just defend, which is fine. They do what they do to get to the dance. But we’ll be ready for them.”
The two teams battled to a scoreless draw on April 18 at Ankeny. The Hawkettes outshot Waukee by a 15-6 margin, but Nidey made 11 saves to preserve a clean sheet.
“I think we have a lot of room to show how we’ve grown this season,” Taylor said. “They’re a good team, but I think we can compete and come out on top.”
Ankeny could potentially face No. 1 Waukee Northwest in Thursday’s semifinals and No. 2 Valley in Saturday’s championship game. The Hawkettes also tied those CIML rivals this season.
“We left a lot of games in ties at the beginning of the season, so I’m just super excited to hopefully get some rematches against those teams,” Macke said.
