Senior forward Tate Duax erupted for four goals to lead the top-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer team to a 5-2 victory over visiting Waukee on Friday.
Duax now has 18 goals on the season. He ranks second in Class 4A behind Cole Skinner of Southeast Polk, who has scored 19 goals.
The win moved Centennial closer to the CIML Conference title. The Jaguars are now 4-0-2 in the league and 10-0-2 overall, while Waukee’s records fell to 0-5-1 and 3-9-1.
“It was a good game, but we had lots of missed chances. Lots,” said Centennial coach Brian Duax. “And we gave up two foolish goals. I’m disappointed to give up the two.”
Duax scored his first two goals within a minute of each other about 15 minutes into the first half. The Jaguars held a 2-0 lead at halftime.
Waukee got on the board in the 44th minute before Duax responded with his third goal a couple minutes later to complete a hat trick. He later converted a penalty kick in the 62nd minute to make it a four-goal haul.
“We had a game plan that if I was isolated up top to play me in behind, and it worked for three of the goals,” said Tate Duax.
After Alen Mujakovic scored a goal to give Centennial a 5-1 lead, the Warriors got their final goal on a penalty kick in the closing minutes.
“Overall, I’m happy to get another win, but not satisfied,” coach Duax said. “There is still lots to work on and get corrected.”
Brock Brazeau and Zachary Clark each had a pair of assists for the Jaguars. Mason Goble added one assist.
Centennial will now face a trio of ranked opponents over the next week. The Jaguars will close out their conference schedule with difficult road tests at No. 6 Johnston (6-2-2) on Tuesday and at No. 3 Southeast Polk (9-1-4) on Friday.
Centennial will also host a non-conference game against No. 8 Des Moines Lincoln (7-2-4) on Thursday.