Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Boys' Soccer

‘We grew together as a team’: Hawks top Mason City in conference opener

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Tuesday's 3-1 victory over visiting Mason City probably wasn't the Ankeny boys' soccer team's most impressive win of the season. But it was a productive triumph nonetheless. "Everyone got minutes for us, and that was the best part," said Ankeny coach Marcus Varnum. Ankeny held a 1-0 lead at halftime. The Hawks then added two more goals in the second … [Read more...] about ‘We grew together as a team’: Hawks top Mason City in conference opener

‘It was a physical and mental battle’: Hawks overcome S.E. Polk’s intensity

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The Southeast Polk boys' soccer team brought a physical style of play to the Ankeny High School field on Friday night. The Hawks matched Southeast Polk's intensity, scoring two goals in the second half to post a 3-1 victory. "It was definitely a good win for us," said Ankeny coach Marcus Varnum. "It was a physical and mental battle. They had guys that … [Read more...] about ‘It was a physical and mental battle’: Hawks overcome S.E. Polk’s intensity

‘It isn’t the end of the world’: Urbandale boys snap Hawks’ winning streak

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There's no reason for the Ankeny boys' soccer team to panic. But coach Marcus Varnum is hoping that the Hawks can learn from Tuesday's 2-1 loss at Urbandale. "The sky isn't falling. It isn't the end of the world," said Varnum, whose team had its six-game winning streak snapped. "But we can't casually walk away from this one. We're going to see … [Read more...] about ‘It isn’t the end of the world’: Urbandale boys snap Hawks’ winning streak

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Avry Olson, Ankeny boys’ soccer

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Sophomore forward Avry Olson has helped the Ankeny boys' soccer team to a 6-2 record. He scored the Hawks' only goal in their 2-1 loss at Urbandale on Tuesday. "Avry is an attacking player for us that has played good minutes off the bench," said Ankeny coach Marcus Varnum. "He had a bit of (an injury) on Saturday against Norwalk and wasn't quite ready to … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Avry Olson, Ankeny boys’ soccer

‘It was a big day for us’: Ankeny boys win shootouts against Norwalk, Valley

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You don't want to get into a shootout with the Ankeny boys' soccer team. The Hawks showed again on Saturday that they know how to prevail in penalty kicks, winning a pair of shootouts at the Valley Invitational. They posted back-to-back 3-2 victories over Norwalk and Valley, winning both shootouts by a 4-3 margin. "It was a big day for us," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘It was a big day for us’: Ankeny boys win shootouts against Norwalk, Valley

Ankeny boys’ winning streak continues with 4-0 victory at Ottumwa

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The Ankeny boys' soccer team is on a roll. The Hawks traveled to Ottumwa on Tuesday for a CIML non-conference game and posted a 4-0 win for their fourth straight victory. They are now 4-1 on the season, while Ottumwa's record dropped to 2-2. "We're pleased to be able to get to 4-1," said Ankeny coach Marcus Varnum. "That was the goal after last … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ winning streak continues with 4-0 victory at Ottumwa

Ankeny boys give up late goal, hold on for 2-1 victory over Polar Bears

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There are times when Marcus Varnum--like a lot of boys' soccer coaches--will take the result of a game even though he was unhappy with some of the details. Monday's non-conference game against visiting Des Moines North was one of those times. Ankeny built a 2-0 halftime lead, then gave up a late goal to the Polar Bears before holding on for a 2-1 … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys give up late goal, hold on for 2-1 victory over Polar Bears

Hawks get early goal from Hunter Yeatts in 1-0 victory over Dowling Catholic

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The rainy conditions turned the Ankeny High School soccer field into a slippery mess on Thursday night. It didn't seem to bother Hunter Yeatts and his teammates on the Ankeny boys' squad. Yeatts scored the game's only goal early in the first half and the Hawks went on to defeat Dowling Catholic, 1-0, in a CIML non-conference game. "It was a good one … [Read more...] about Hawks get early goal from Hunter Yeatts in 1-0 victory over Dowling Catholic

Hawks win shootout against C.R. Kennedy, give Varnum his first victory

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The Ankeny boys' soccer team didn't have to wait long to get back on the field Saturday after a season-opening loss. The Hawks dropped a 2-0 decision to Linn-Mar (Marion) in their opener, but came back a couple hours later and defeated Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 1-0, in a shootout. Both games were played at Ankeny. "The boys showed a lot of grit," said … [Read more...] about Hawks win shootout against C.R. Kennedy, give Varnum his first victory

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ soccer team

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The success of the Ankeny boys' soccer program didn't happen overnight. The Hawks struggled to a 2-12-2 record in their first season of competition in 1985, and they didn't post a winning mark until 1989, when coach Mark McDougal led the team to a 7-6-3 campaign. The 1990s saw some gradual progress under McDougal and then Peter Rameh, who took over the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ soccer team

Hawks lack varsity experience, but team chemistry could take them long way

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Marcus Varnum was hired in the fall of 2019 to take over the Ankeny boys' soccer program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the former Ankeny and Simpson College standout has had to wait more than 17 months to make his coaching debut. The Hawks will open the 2021 season by hosting the Ankeny Invitational on April 3. "I'll be thrilled to get that first … [Read more...] about Hawks lack varsity experience, but team chemistry could take them long way

Ankeny’s Reynolds, Centennial’s Hron to play soccer at Simpson College

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Two more Ankeny-area soccer players have decided to spend the next four years in Indianola. Ankeny senior Ben Reynolds has committed to play for Simpson College. He joins his teammate Colby Cheney, who previously committed to the Storm. "The fact that I already knew Colby was going to Simpson helped me in knowing that I would be going along with a … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Reynolds, Centennial’s Hron to play soccer at Simpson College

First-year coaches Varnum, Espinosa deal with devastation of lost season

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Perhaps nobody was more excited to coach his team this spring than Ankeny boys' soccer coach Marcus Varnum. Unless it was Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Armando Espinosa. Both Espinosa and Varnum were first-year head coaches who had their debut seasons wiped out by the coronavirus. Espinosa, the head tennis professional at Ames Fitness Center, … [Read more...] about First-year coaches Varnum, Espinosa deal with devastation of lost season

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Colby Cheney, Ankeny boys’ soccer

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Senior defender/midfielder Colby Cheney helped the Ankeny boys' soccer team to a 12-7 record last season. The Hawks advanced to the Class 3A state tournament before dropping a 2-1 decision to Iowa City West in the quarterfinals. Cheney has committed to play for Simpson College next year. Here is some inside info on Cheney: What was your reaction … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Colby Cheney, Ankeny boys’ soccer

Ex-Ankeny player, assistant coach Varnum hired to take over Hawks’ program

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The replacement for Ankeny boys' soccer coach Jordan Burns was already on the Hawks' coaching staff. Assistant coach Marcus Varnum has been hired to take over the program. A former Ankeny player, Varnum helped the Hawks to a 12-7 record last season. "I'm absolutely thrilled," said Varnum. "It's a great opportunity, and I am really pleased and feel very … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny player, assistant coach Varnum hired to take over Hawks’ program

‘Hard to walk away’: Ankeny’s Burns resigns as boys’ soccer coach

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Ankeny boys' soccer coach Jordan Burns has resigned from his position after two seasons at the school. Burns, a native of Scotland, compiled a 29-12 record and guided the Hawks to a pair of state tournament appearances. "It was a very tough decision," said Burns. "It's something that I didn't really want to do, but I had to do. I'm at the point in my … [Read more...] about ‘Hard to walk away’: Ankeny’s Burns resigns as boys’ soccer coach

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ryan Safley, Ankeny boys’ soccer

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Ryan Safley is a member of the Ankeny boys' soccer team. The senior helped solidify Ankeny's defense as the Hawks posted a 12-7 record and advanced to the Class 3A state tournament for the third time in four years. "He wasn't a captain, but he was a great leader for us," Ankeny coach Jordan Burns said of Safley. "He stepped up and took over a … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ryan Safley, Ankeny boys’ soccer

‘I’m gutted for the guys’: Hawks tumble to I.C. West in 3A quarterfinals

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Jordan Burns shared some hugs with his Ankeny boys' soccer players following a season-ending loss on Friday. The second-year head coach was hoping to say his final goodbyes at the end of the Class 3A state tournament on Tuesday, but the 10th-ranked Hawks were eliminated with a 2-1 loss to No. 2 Iowa City West in the quarterfinals at Cownie Soccer Complex … [Read more...] about ‘I’m gutted for the guys’: Hawks tumble to I.C. West in 3A quarterfinals