The Ankeny girls’ soccer team was hoping to enter postseason play riding the momentum of a six-game unbeaten streak.
Unfortunately, the sixth-ranked Hawkettes will have to regroup instead.
Ankeny closed out the regular season on Thursday with a 1-0 loss to visiting Dallas Center-Grimes, the No. 3 team in Class 2A. The Mustangs (11-1-2) scored the game’s only goal in the final minutes.
“It was a competitive game against a good team,” said Ankeny coach Gavin Mason, whose team dropped to 9-5-1 on the season. “They are really good defensively, and we had a tough time breaking them down. Their goalkeeper also made a few really nice saves. We just weren’t quite clean enough in possession or clinical enough with our chances, and the longer a game goes 0-0 you just never know.”
Ankeny was awarded a penalty kick with about 3 minutes left, but the ensuing attempt by Isabel Squires was saved by junior goalkeeper Emyrson Torsky.
After giving up two goals in a season-opening loss at No. 1 Norwalk on April 7, Dallas Center-Grimes has allowed just two goals while going unbeaten over the last 13 games.
“It felt similar to our game against Waukee Northwest (on May 12),” Mason said. “Unfortunately, we were once again unable to convert. Izzy hit the ball well, but hat’s off to the keeper who made a great save. Unfortunately, then we conceded a free kick right at the end and all it took was that one moment.
“We weren’t able to clear the ball, and they were able to take advantage (with a goal),” he added.
Ankeny had not lost since dropping a 2-0 decision at No. 4 Waukee on May 4. The Hawkettes reeled off wins in four of their next five games–with the only “blemish” being a 0-0 draw at No. 1 Waukee Northwest.
Ankeny will now prepare for regional play. The Hawkettes will host Des Moines North (6-7-1) or Marshalltown (8-7-1) in a semifinal game on June 2 at 7 p.m.