(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After successfully co-hosting the Crosstown Invitational last weekend, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players had all the momentum and motivation a team could need to start off CIML Conference play with a win. However, Tuesday night didn’t end how the fifth-ranked Jaguars envisioned as they surrendered three goals in … [Read more...] about Wolves erupt for trio of goals in 2nd half, hand No. 5 Centennial girls their first loss
Girls' Soccer
‘It’s something to be proud of’: Jaguars post back-to-back shutouts over PV, DC-G
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Between late heroics to a trio of first-half goals, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team came out of the Crosstown Invitational with two quality wins over ranked opponents and a very positive trajectory for the season. The fifth-ranked Jaguars not only avenged a loss in last year’s Crosstown Invite in Friday night’s 1-0 … [Read more...] about ‘It’s something to be proud of’: Jaguars post back-to-back shutouts over PV, DC-G
‘We had good cohesive play’: Jags open season with 3-0 victory at Iowa City West
It took awhile for Ankeny Centennial's dominance to produce some goals in Monday's girls' soccer season opener at Iowa City West. After going scoreless in the first half, the Jaguars racked up three goals in the final 40 minutes to post a 3-0 victory in the non-conference game. "We missed some good chances in the first half, but the girls understand … [Read more...] about ‘We had good cohesive play’: Jags open season with 3-0 victory at Iowa City West
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddison Balashaitis, ACHS girls’ soccer
Senior defender Maddison Balashaitis is one of the top returning players for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. She helped the Jaguars to a 13-7 record last season and a trip to the Class 3A state tournament, where she was named to the all-tournament team. Balashaitis scored three goals and also had an assist while helping her squad record six … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddison Balashaitis, ACHS girls’ soccer
‘These kids genuinely enjoy each other’: Jags look to have fun while chasing title
Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players Maddison Balashaitis, Addison Fair, Olivia Kroska and Ava Martin have all experienced the joy of holding up a state championship trophy. The four seniors all saw some action as freshmen on the Jaguars' Class 3A title team in 2022. "Experience and joy will be huge strengths for our team," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘These kids genuinely enjoy each other’: Jags look to have fun while chasing title
‘I knew it was where I wanted to be!’: Jags’ Martin to play soccer at Missouri Western
At the end of her junior basketball season, Ankeny Centennial's Ava Martin wasn't planning to play a sport in college. But she had a change of heart. "I reconsidered," Martin said. "I was unsure for awhile, but I couldn’t imagine myself being done with soccer after high school. That led me to go out for club soccer this past fall where I had great … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was where I wanted to be!’: Jags’ Martin to play soccer at Missouri Western
‘I’m absolutely proud of our girls’: Jaguars lose heartbreaker to Waukee NW in PKs
There was nothing for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players to hang their heads about. The eighth-ranked Jaguars ended their season on Tuesday with a 3-2 loss to No. 1 Waukee Northwest in a shootout in the Class 3A quarterfinals of the state tournament at Cownie Park. "I'm not going to fault the players," said Centennial coach Chris Allen, whose … [Read more...] about ‘I’m absolutely proud of our girls’: Jaguars lose heartbreaker to Waukee NW in PKs
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: McKenna Hilton, Centennial girls’ soccer
Senior forward McKenna Hilton has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to a 13-6 record. She had an assist on Thursday as the Jaguars posted a 2-1 victory over No. 11 Southeast Polk in a Class 3A regional final, punching the team's ticket to this week's state tournament. Hilton has racked up six goals and three assists on the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: McKenna Hilton, Centennial girls’ soccer
‘I’m glad they get another shot at it’: Centennial seniors earn 4th trip to state
The seniors on the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team will get at least one more opportunity to play at Cownie Park. The eighth-ranked Jaguars advanced to next week's state tournament by defeating No. 11 Southeast Polk, 2-1, in a Class 3A regional final on Thursday at Centennial. "I was just talking to Gabby (Lawrence), McKenna (Hilton) and Avery … [Read more...] about ‘I’m glad they get another shot at it’: Centennial seniors earn 4th trip to state
Jaguars romp past C.R. Jefferson, will host S.E. Polk in regional final Thursday
A big early lead was just what the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team needed. Facing back-to-back games in postseason play due to Tuesday's postponement, the eighth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 5-0 halftime lead and rolled past visiting Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 9-0, in a Class 3A regional semifinal on Wednesday. "We had an opportunity to rotate some … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past C.R. Jefferson, will host S.E. Polk in regional final Thursday
‘They were clogging the middle’: Jaguars suffer frustrating 1-0 loss to Cedar Falls
This wasn't the way that the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players wanted their Senior Night to go. The seventh-ranked Jaguars finished the regular season on Tuesday with a 1-0 loss to visiting Cedar Falls in a non-conference game. The Tigers were outshot by a 16-2 margin, but they scored the game-winner when Zoe Zylstra found the net in the second half … [Read more...] about ‘They were clogging the middle’: Jaguars suffer frustrating 1-0 loss to Cedar Falls
‘This is a huge confidence boost’: Jaguars top Valley, remain unbeaten in shootouts
It can be a crapshoot anytime a high school soccer game goes to a penalty-kick shootout. However, the Ankeny Centennial girls' team seems to be defying those odds. The seventh-ranked Jaguars posted a 1-0 victory at No. 4 Valley in a shootout on Monday, allowing them to tie the Tigers for third place in the final CIML Conference standings. Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘This is a huge confidence boost’: Jaguars top Valley, remain unbeaten in shootouts
No. 1 Wolves top Centennial girls, earn share of CIML Conference championship
Freshman Ayrissa Robinson recorded a hat trick to lead the top-ranked Waukee Northwest girls' soccer team to a 4-2 victory at No. 7 Ankeny Centennial on Friday, allowing the Wolves to earn a share of the CIML Conference title when No. 2 Ankeny lost at No. 4 Valley in a shootout. Northwest scored twice off corner kicks in the second half to break a 2-2 … [Read more...] about No. 1 Wolves top Centennial girls, earn share of CIML Conference championship
Centennial girls edge S.E. Polk on Fair’s goal, raise their record to 10-4 on season
At this point, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team is just looking to build some momentum for postseason play. On Tuesday, the sixth-ranked Jaguars did just that with a 2-1 victory over No. 10 Southeast Polk in a CIML Conference game at Centennial. Addison Fair scored the winning goal in the 59th minute for Centennial, which improved to 4-2 in the … [Read more...] about Centennial girls edge S.E. Polk on Fair’s goal, raise their record to 10-4 on season
Jaguars take advantage of strong wind for 3-0 victory over No. 14 Mason City
An Olimpico helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to a 3-0 victory over No. 14 Mason City in a non-conference game on Monday at Centennial. Evie Boyle scored directly from a corner kick in the 25th minute to break a 0-0 tie and the Jaguars went on to score all of their goals in the first half, when they had a strong wind at their … [Read more...] about Jaguars take advantage of strong wind for 3-0 victory over No. 14 Mason City
Centennial’s Zeman suffers ACL injury, will miss rest of soccer, track seasons
When a dual-sport athlete like Piper Zeman suffers an injury, it hurts the depth of multiple teams. The Ankeny Centennial sophomore injured her knee while playing for the Jaguars' girls' soccer team at the Tournament of Champions in Bettendorf on April 26. She found out later that she had torn an ACL. Thus, Zeman will miss the rest of the soccer and … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Zeman suffers ACL injury, will miss rest of soccer, track seasons
Jaguars rally to defeat Whitefish Bay, finish 2-1 at Tournament of Champions
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team completed a 2-1 weekend in the Tournament of Champions at Bettendorf by defeating Whitefish Bay (Wis.), 2-1, on Saturday. All three games were played indoors. Ava Martin scored the go-ahead goal for the sixth-ranked Jaguars, who overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to raise their overall record to 8-3. "I thought … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally to defeat Whitefish Bay, finish 2-1 at Tournament of Champions
Martin goes ‘beast mode’, records hat trick in Jaguars’ 3-0 win over Johnston
Looking to bounce back from Friday's loss at Waukee, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team turned to Ava Martin for some offensive production. The junior forward delivered in a big way. Martin recorded a hat trick and the fourth-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 12 Johnston, 3-0, in a CIML Conference game on Tuesday at Centennial. "I just felt like we … [Read more...] about Martin goes ‘beast mode’, records hat trick in Jaguars’ 3-0 win over Johnston
Waukee girls snap Centennial’s 4-game winning streak with goal in 2nd half
When the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team went to the locker room at halftime during Friday's game at Waukee, the Jaguars felt pretty good about being knotted in a scoreless tie. "We were going against the wind for the first half and despite being against the wind, I thought we played really good soccer," said Centennial coach Chris Allen. "We … [Read more...] about Waukee girls snap Centennial’s 4-game winning streak with goal in 2nd half
‘It was a good team win’: Jaguars shut down Iowa City West for 2-0 victory
A pair of early goals proved to be more than enough for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars scored twice in the first 15 minutes and never allowed a shot on goal in a 2-0 victory over No. 14 Iowa City West in a non-conference game on Friday at Centennial. "I thought tonight was a show of team strength," said Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good team win’: Jaguars shut down Iowa City West for 2-0 victory