Perhaps nobody had a bigger smile on his face Saturday than Dayne Kajewski. The injured senior on the Ankeny boys' soccer team carried the Class 3A third-place trophy after the sixth-ranked Hawks outlasted No. 5 Iowa City West, 4-3, in double overtime to win the consolation final at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. "I think I've been the loudest … [Read more...] about A FITTING FINALE: Hawk seniors go out with a thrilling win in double OT
Boys' Soccer
Hawks suffer heartbreaking loss, will play for 3rd place on Saturday
Somehow, the Ankeny boys' soccer team will have to find a way to regroup. The sixth-ranked Hawks (16-5) will play No. 5 Iowa City West (18-4) for third place in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. after suffering a heartbreaking loss in Friday's semifinals at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. Ankeny built a 3-0 lead against No. 3 … [Read more...] about Hawks suffer heartbreaking loss, will play for 3rd place on Saturday
Hawks stun No. 2 C.R. Prairie, will play Bettendorf in Friday’s semifinals
If the Ankeny boys' soccer team was supposed to be an underdog, the Hawks didn't play like one. Peter Gaspari scored the go-ahead goal in the 55th minute, Kolby Raineri added two late goals to seal the outcome, and sixth-ranked Ankeny stunned No. 2 Cedar Rapids Prairie, 3-0, in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament on Thursday at Cownie … [Read more...] about Hawks stun No. 2 C.R. Prairie, will play Bettendorf in Friday’s semifinals
Coach’s halftime rant ignites Hawks past Roosevelt for state tourney berth
Spencer Anderson called it one of the best speeches he has ever heard. The head coach of the Ankeny boys' soccer team, Jordan Burns, had trouble remembering what he said during halftime of the Hawks' showdown against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt on Saturday. "Sometimes I like to rant, and I get caught up in the moment," Burns said after his team … [Read more...] about Coach’s halftime rant ignites Hawks past Roosevelt for state tourney berth
Hawks’ victory sets up rematch against Roosevelt in Saturday’s substate final
For one night anyway, the Ankeny boys' soccer team got along just fine without senior Peter Gaspari. Gaspari, who received a red card during the regular-season finale against Des Moines Roosevelt on May 15, sat out on Wednesday as the sixth-ranked Hawks rolled to a 4-0 victory over visiting Sioux City North in a Class 3A substate semifinal. "Peter is … [Read more...] about Hawks’ victory sets up rematch against Roosevelt in Saturday’s substate final
Gaspari’s goal lifts Hawks to 2-1 victory over Roosevelt
After suffering back-to-back shutout losses, the Ankeny boys' soccer team earned a much-needed victory Tuesday on its Senior Night. Peter Gaspari scored the go-ahead goal midway through the second half and the fifth-ranked Hawks edged No. 13 Des Moines Roosevelt, 2-1, in a non-conference game at Ankeny. "Kolby (Raineri) had two guys guarding him inside … [Read more...] about Gaspari’s goal lifts Hawks to 2-1 victory over Roosevelt
No. 1 Valley remains unbeaten with 2-0 victory over Hawks
There's a reason why the Valley boys' soccer team is ranked No. 1 in Class 3A. The Tigers show up to play hard every night. Valley remained unbeaten with a 2-0 victory over No. 5 Ankeny on Friday at Valley Stadium. The Tigers, who had already wrapped up the outright CIML Central Conference title, finished 5-0 in league play and improved to 14-0 … [Read more...] about No. 1 Valley remains unbeaten with 2-0 victory over Hawks
Depleted Hawks suffer 2-0 loss to Waukee
A couple of key injuries proved to be costly for the Ankeny boys' soccer team. The fifth-ranked Hawks played without senior Dayne Kajewski and junior Riley Wood in a 2-0 loss to No. 11 Waukee on Tuesday at Ankeny. Kajewski was out with a knee injury, while Wood is recovering from a concussion. "We have a lot of quality, but we're not the deepest team," … [Read more...] about Depleted Hawks suffer 2-0 loss to Waukee
‘Another successful day for the lads!’: Hawks capture tournament title
There was no letdown for the Ankeny boys' soccer team. Three days after posting a 2-0 victory over crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, the seventh-ranked Hawks won three games on Saturday to win the Waverly-Shell Rock Invitational. They rolled to an 8-2 victory over Decorah, the No. 8 team in Class 2A, in the championship game. "Another successful day … [Read more...] about ‘Another successful day for the lads!’: Hawks capture tournament title
Hawks outplay S.E. Polk, but suffer 1-0 defeat
The visiting Southeast Polk boys' soccer team snapped Ankeny's eight-game winning streak with a 1-0 victory on Friday. The seventh-ranked Hawks dominated the CIML Central Conference contest, but were unable to capitalize on numerous scoring chances. "Tonight's game is why I love soccer so much," said Ankeny coach Jordan Burns. "In all my years playing … [Read more...] about Hawks outplay S.E. Polk, but suffer 1-0 defeat
Pritchard scores again; Hawks beat Ames for 8th straight win
Charlie Pritchard and the Ankeny boys' soccer team are on a roll. Pritchard scored another goal, his seventh in the last four games, and the sixth-ranked Hawks opened CIML Central Conference play with a 2-0 victory at No. 11 Ames on Tuesday. It was the eighth consecutive win for Ankeny, which raised its record to 8-1 on the season. The Little Cyclones … [Read more...] about Pritchard scores again; Hawks beat Ames for 8th straight win
Hawks top Lincoln, extend winning streak to 7 games
The Ankeny boys' soccer team extended its winning streak to seven games with a 2-1 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln on Friday. The sixth-ranked Hawks built a 2-0 lead and then held on for the win, raising their record to 7-1. No. 12 Lincoln dropped to 1-2-1. "It wasn't pretty by any stretch. We made it difficult for ourselves," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks top Lincoln, extend winning streak to 7 games
Hawks overcome adversity, beat Johnston for 6th straight win
With arguably its best player on the sidelines, the Ankeny boys' soccer team rallied for a huge road victory on Tuesday. The sixth-ranked Hawks overcame a 2-1 deficit to beat No. 8 Johnston, 3-2, in a non-conference game. They played without junior Kolby Raineri, who was forced to sit out after receiving a red card during a win at Dowling Catholic on … [Read more...] about Hawks overcome adversity, beat Johnston for 6th straight win
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Max Acheampong, Ankeny boys’ soccer
Max Acheampong of the Ankeny boys' soccer team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. The senior has helped Ankeny to a 6-1 record and a No. 6 ranking in Class 3A. The Hawks posted a 3-2 victory at No. 8 Johnston on Tuesday to extend their winning streak to six games. Acheampong has scored three goals this season. All three of them … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Max Acheampong, Ankeny boys’ soccer
Raineri, Pritchard lead Hawks past Dowling Catholic
The Ankeny boys' soccer team didn't panic when Dowling Catholic built a 2-0 lead in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The sixth-ranked Hawks got two goals apiece from Kolby Raineri and Charlie Pritchard and rallied for a 4-2 road victory, their fifth in a row. Ankeny improved its record to 5-1 on the season, while Dowling dropped to 0-2. "Patience and … [Read more...] about Raineri, Pritchard lead Hawks past Dowling Catholic
Hawks blank Hoover for their 4th straight shutout
The Ankeny boys' soccer team is on a roll. The Hawks posted a 4-0 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover on Thursday for their fourth consecutive shutout. They are now 4-1 on the season, while the Huskies dropped to 1-1. "Overall, I'd say it was a very mature performance from our team," said Ankeny coach Jordan Burns. "We were disciplined tactically … [Read more...] about Hawks blank Hoover for their 4th straight shutout
Ankeny boys’ soccer team rebounds from season-opening loss
When the Ankeny boys' soccer team opened its season on Friday with a 3-1 loss to Iowa City High at the Iowa City West Invitational, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The Hawks have since reeled off three consecutive victories heading into Thursday's home game against Des Moines Hoover. "Losing our first game to City High was the best thing … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ soccer team rebounds from season-opening loss
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Peter Gaspari, Ankeny boys’ soccer
Peter Gaspari is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The senior is one of the top returnees for the Ankeny boys' soccer team. Gaspari scored a team-high seven goals and also had three assists last season, helping the Hawks to an 8-11 record. He received all-conference honorable mention. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Peter Gaspari, Ankeny boys’ soccer
Burns takes over experienced Ankeny boys’ soccer team
The new head coach of the Ankeny boys' soccer team is already familiar with the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. Jordan Burns, a native of Scotland, spent the last three years as an assistant for Des Moines Roosevelt boys' coach Sean Holmes. Prior to that, he was a volunteer assistant for Waukee girls' coach Tony Gabriel for two years. Burns has … [Read more...] about Burns takes over experienced Ankeny boys’ soccer team
Ankeny boys’ soccer coach discusses challenges of new job
Jordan Burns has taken over the Hawks' program after Brian Duax left to become the coach at Ankeny Centennial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quASaOCwrRc … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ soccer coach discusses challenges of new job