Boys' Soccer

There wasn't a lot at stake on Friday for the Ankeny boys' soccer team. But the 11th-ranked Hawks badly needed a win, and they got it in dramatic fashion. Ankeny posted a 3-2 victory over visiting Ames in a shootout in the CIML Iowa Conference finale for both teams, who could meet again in substate play. "We needed (the win) for confidence," said … [Read more...] about Hawks allow tying goal in final minute, but then defeat Ames in shootout

Marshalltown's grass soccer field is considered by most coaches throughout the CIML as the worst playing surface in the league. Ankeny boys' coach Marcus Varnum refused to blame the field, however, for his team's 3-0 loss to the Bobcats on Tuesday. "You hate to really blame it on that, because I think the boys brought the energy and the efforts," … [Read more...] about ‘We couldn’t quite get our feet under us’: Hawks suffer 3-o loss at Marshalltown

A pair of goals in a 5-minute span wasn't enough to lift the Ankeny boys' soccer team to a non-conference victory on Friday at Johnston. The 10th-ranked Hawks scored twice midway through the first half to build a 2-0 lead, but No. 8 Johnston later tied the game in the second half and eventually posted a 3-2 win in a shootout. The Dragons won the shootout … [Read more...] about Johnston boys battle back from 2-0 deficit, defeat Hawks in a shootout

The Ankeny boys' soccer team tuned up for Monday's showdown against Ankeny Centennial with a 6-1 victory at Fort Dodge on Friday. Jose Aguilar scored a pair of goals as the 11th-ranked Hawks improved to 2-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 9-2 overall. Fort Dodge's records dropped to 0-2 and 0-8. The Dodgers had lost to Centennial, 10-0, on the same … [Read more...] about Aguilar scores pair of goals, leads Ankeny boys to 6-1 victory at Fort Dodge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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