‘We didn’t play our game in the first half’: Jaguars dig early hole in 2-1 loss at Valley

Ankeny Centennial goalkeeper Rylee Litchfield scrambles to retrieve the ball during Tuesday’s game at Valley. The Tigers scored two first-half goals and went on to post a 2-1 victory. (Photo courtesy of Robin Litchfield)

It took only 12 seconds for the Valley girls’ soccer team to take the lead for good in Tuesday’s showdown against visiting Ankeny Centennial.

The second-ranked Tigers got an early goal from Bryn Kenworthy off an assist by Olivia Rotich, added another goal later in the first half and then held on for a 2-1 victory over No. 3 Centennial.

“We didn’t play our game in the first half,” said Centennial senior defender Evie Boyle. “In the second half, I was happy we fought back.”

Ankeny Centennial’s Emmarie Becker battles for the ball with Valley’s Charlie Mollison during Tuesday’s game. Mollison scored what proved to be the winning goal for the Tigers. (Photo courtesy of Robin Litchfield)

Valley scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 37th minute. Rotich earned her second assist of the night with a nifty pass in front of the goal to Charlie Mollison, who booted the ball into the net.

Mollison and Kenworthy are both freshmen.

“Credit to Valley for making the most of its chances and for causing us to struggle with composure during the first half,” said Centennial coach Chris Allen. “We responded well in the second half and had them under pressure for a lot of that half, but unfortunately dug ourselves too deep of a whole.”

**Ankeny Centennial’s Jaeden Jackson (No. 3) and Rebecca Flick fight for the ball with two Valley players during Tuesday’s game. (Photo courtesy of Robin Litchfield)**

Centennial’s Mady Postma nearly scored a goal with a shot from distance in the 45th minute. However, Valley keeper Reagan Gardner batted the ball away for a crucial save.

About 3 minutes later, the Jaguars got a big save of their own from keeper Rylee Litchfield. She punched the ball away as she was falling down when Valley tried to capitalize off a corner kick.

“I hope that the girls can see that we can play a high standard of soccer even against the best teams in the state and that we have the confidence to be ourselves for the entire game,” Allen said.

Ankeny Centennial’s Mady Postma (No. 15) leaps into the arms of Gaby Berger after teammate Evie Boyle scored a goal for the Jaguars during the second half of Tuesday’s game. Grace Poskevich is also shown at right. (Photo courtesy of Robin Litchfield)

Centennial eventually cut its deficit in half late in the game. Defender Evie Boyle found the net for her second goal of the season.

“They were expecting a long throw and a short option was on,” Boyle said. “I got the ball back bouncing around the box. I hit back post into the mess, and I thought Gaby (Berger) scored. She did a good job crashing the box.”

Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the Jaguars fell to 3-1 in the CIML Conference and 5-1 overall. Valley raised its records to 3-1 and 8-2.

**The Ankeny Centennial players huddle up before the start of Tuesday’s game. (Photo courtesy of Robin Litchfield)**

Centennial will compete in the Tournament of Champions this weekend at Bettendorf. The Jaguars will face Normal (Ill.) and Waunakee (Wis.) on Friday before playing an opponent to be determined on Saturday.

“We move forward by coming back together as a team and resetting,” Boyle said. “Playing as a team and not as individuals. And coming back knowing we will make mistakes and have to work together as a team to help each other out.”