The Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer team is off to a perfect 3-0 start.
The Jaguars won a pair of games at Council Bluffs Lewis Central this weekend, capped off by a 3-2 victory over Omaha (Neb.) Skutt Catholic on Saturday morning. Coach Brian Duax’s team handed the SkyHawks (2-1) their first loss.
“It was a really good weekend,” said Duax. “It’s always a grind playing two games in 24 hours on that small field so we were happy to walk away with a couple of wins.”
Tate Duax scored two goals as Centennial built a 2-0 halftime lead in Saturday’s game. The senior has already recorded 13 points in three games, racking up four goals and five assists.
The SkyHawks then rallied to tie the score in the second half.
“It was a really good first half. We completely dominated,” Duax said. “We just ran out of gas, and they capitalized on some of our mistakes. We had plenty of chances to finish the game, but we just couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.”
The game eventually went to a shootout to determine a winner. The Jaguars made all six of their kicks, while Skutt Catholic converted its first five before missing its sixth attempt.
Zachary Clark was credited with the game-winner.
“Under Nebraska rules they have to have a winner, so that’s why we went to a shootout,” Duax said. “We don’t even practice them because we won’t have any (in Iowa) until the postseason. But Zach stepped up and made the kick for us.”
Garrett Christensen added an assist for Centennial.
On Friday afternoon, the Jaguars rolled to a 5-1 triumph over Lewis Central (2-2). The Titans fell behind at halftime, 2-0, and then saw their deficit grow in the second half.
Duax finished with a goal and three assists to lead the way.
“Tate draws a lot of attention, and he’s very selfless reading the game,” said his father. “He’ll share the ball with his teammates if that gives the team the best chance to win.”
Christensen and Lucas De la Cuba each had a goal and an assist in the win. Drew Krueger and Ben Ridlen scored the other goals.
“We really took it to a talented Lewis Central team,” Duax said. “It really wasn’t very close at all. It was pretty amazing to get five goals from five different players.”
Centennial will host a non-conference game against Norwalk (1-2) on Thursday.