The third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer team opened CIML Conference play with a 5-0 victory over visiting Urbandale on Friday.
Rebecca Flick had a goal and an assist for the Jaguars, who raised their overall record to 3-0.
“It was a complete performance from the team,” said Centennial coach Chris Allen. “We were dangerous in the attacking third and organized in the defensive half. Our communication level was high throughout the game, and players maintained intensity as we rotated personnel.”
Centennial goalkeeper Rylee Litchfield recorded her second shutout of the season and the 16th of her career. The junior now owns the school record for career shutouts.
“Though Rylee did not need to make a save, she was communicative and strong with her feet in distribution during the game,” Allen said.
The start of the game was delayed by about 45 minutes due to a thunderstorm.
“The weather conditions were obviously not ideal, but I think we handled them really well,” said Centennial senior Emmarie Becker. “We were smart with the passes we made when we were against the wind, and during the second half, we made sure to use the wind to our advantage and take shots from distance.
“I feel like our team dominated. We kept possession the majority of the game and were able to move the ball from side to side while also taking the endline numerous times. We kept the energy up and were able to finalize on the chances we created,” she added.
Flick opened the scoring with a goal in the 17th minute. She was assisted by Grace Poskevich.
The Jaguars added another goal into the wind late in the first half. Jaeden Jackson found the net off an assist by Becker.
“Our backline was moving the ball around and keeping possession in our half,” Becker said. “Once it got played to Kenna (Gray), I was able to find a space between Urbandale’s players and receive the ball and open up. I was able to see a lot of space in Jaeden’s area up the field and played a ball for her to run onto. She took a great touch around the defender and was able to take the shot.”
With the wind at its back, Centennial then scored three more goals in an 11-minute span early in the second half. Evie Boyle had the first one off a deflected shot by Flick.
Mady Postma scored off a Gray assist to make it 4-0 in the 50th minute. Gaby Berger then converted off a Josie Ehlinger assist to complete the scoring.
“All in all, I think we showed that we can be threatening in a variety of ways with five goal scorers and five different players having assists,” Allen said. “We saw crosses being finished, set pieces being dangerous, and breakaways.”
The loss dropped Urbandale’s records to 0-3 in the conference and overall. The J-Hawks have been outscored by their opponents by a 17-0 margin.
Former Ankeny boys’ coach Rick Isaacson, who led the Hawks to a state title in 2007, took over the Urbandale program in January. He also coaches the Simpson College men’s squad.
“We want to credit coach Isaacson’s squad on a resilient performance,” Allen said. “They never backed down and provided us with challenges throughout the match.”
The Jaguars will play a conference game at Dowling Catholic on Tuesday. The Maroons are 1-0 in the league and 2-3 overall.