The third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team opened CIML Conference play with a 5-0 victory over visiting Urbandale on Friday. Rebecca Flick had a goal and an assist for the Jaguars, who raised their overall record to 3-0. "It was a complete performance from the team," said Centennial coach Chris Allen. "We were dangerous in the attacking … [Read more...] about ‘I feel like our team dominated’: Jags rout Urbandale as Litchfield sets school record
Girls' Soccer
‘I’m just really proud of our team’: Jaguars beat C.R. Prairie, Linn-Mar to open season
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) With its original season opener against Iowa City West getting postponed, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team didn’t get a chance to have a tune-up game before co-hosting the Crosstown Invitational this weekend. But that didn’t stop the third-ranked Jaguars from opening their season with a pair of victories over ranked … [Read more...] about ‘I’m just really proud of our team’: Jaguars beat C.R. Prairie, Linn-Mar to open season
Jaguars are No. 3, Hawkettes No. 5 in preseason Class 3A girls’ soccer rankings
The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union has announced its preseason soccer rankings, and it's no surprise that the CIML Conference once again dominates the top of the Class 3A list. Defending state champion Waukee Northwest begins the season where it left off last year--in the No. 1 spot. The Wolves are one of six CIML schools ranked among the top … [Read more...] about Jaguars are No. 3, Hawkettes No. 5 in preseason Class 3A girls’ soccer rankings
‘We will need to be resilient’: Jaguars gear up for another tough road of CIML foes
It won't be easy for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to replace the leadership from players like Maddison Balashaitis, Olivia Kroska and Ava Martin on last year's squad. Those three standouts all graduated after leading the Jaguars to a 15-4-2 record and a trip to the Class 3A semifinals in 2025. They are now playing at the collegiate … [Read more...] about ‘We will need to be resilient’: Jaguars gear up for another tough road of CIML foes
‘I can’t wait to play with her again!’: Jags’ Litchfield to join Balashaitis at CSP in ’27
Junior goalkeeper Rylee Litchfield of Ankeny Centennial has verbally committed to play for the Concordia St. Paul women's soccer team in 2027. Litchfield will be reunited with former Centennial teammate Maddison Balashaitis, who is a freshman defender on the squad. Balashaitis helped the Golden Bears to a 12-3-5 record last fall. "Maddison has always … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to play with her again!’: Jags’ Litchfield to join Balashaitis at CSP in ’27
‘I can’t wait to be up there this fall!’: Jags’ Becker commits to play for St. Olaf
Ankeny Centennial midfielder Emmarie Becker has verbally committed to play for the women's soccer team at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Becker said head coach Molly Fiedler and assistant coach John Moening played a pivotal role in her decision. "I looked at a lot of schools from all over the country throughout my recruitment process, but … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to be up there this fall!’: Jags’ Becker commits to play for St. Olaf
‘I truly believe it’s the perfect fit for me’: Centennial’s Gray to play for MSU Mankato
Junior defender Kenna Gray of Ankeny Centennial has verbally committed to play soccer for Minnesota State University in Mankato. The Mavericks reached the second round of this year's NCAA Division II tournament before losing to Washburn in penalty kicks. Last year, MSU was the national runner-up. Former Centennial star Courtney Kovacs completed her … [Read more...] about ‘I truly believe it’s the perfect fit for me’: Centennial’s Gray to play for MSU Mankato
Centennial defender Boyle commits to play soccer at Southwest Minnesota St.
Ankeny Centennial senior defender Evie Boyle will continue her soccer career at Southwest Minnesota State. Boyle has verbally committed to play for the Mustangs, an NCAA Division II program located in Marshall, Minn. They compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. "I'm so excited to continue my soccer and academic career at Southwest … [Read more...] about Centennial defender Boyle commits to play soccer at Southwest Minnesota St.
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Emmarie Becker, Centennial girls’ soccer
Junior midfielder Emmarie Becker helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to a 15-4-2 record this season. The Jaguars advanced to the Class 3A semifinals of last week's state tournament before dropping a 2-1 decision to Linn-Mar (Marion) at the Lied Recreation Fields in Ames. Becker scored five goals and had four assists on the season. She scored … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Emmarie Becker, Centennial girls’ soccer
Centennial standouts Balashaitis, Martin named to Class 3A all-tournament team
Seniors Maddison Balashaitis and Ava Martin of the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team were both named to the Class 3A all-tournament team on Saturday at the Cyclone Sports Complex in Ames. Balashaitis, a defender, was selected to the squad for the second straight year. She scored a goal and also converted a penalty kick in the shootout in the Jaguars' … [Read more...] about Centennial standouts Balashaitis, Martin named to Class 3A all-tournament team
‘I’m heartbroken for our team’: Jaguars fall to Linn-Mar on Roberts’ spectacular shot
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team had state championship aspirations in 2025, but the Jaguars' hopes fell just short. It was a deep shot in the 76th minute by Abi Roberts of Linn-Mar (Marion) that ended Centennial’s season on Thursday as the third-ranked Jaguars dropped a 2-1 decision in the Class 3A semifinals at … [Read more...] about ‘I’m heartbroken for our team’: Jaguars fall to Linn-Mar on Roberts’ spectacular shot
Becker scores tying goal, then makes huge save as Jaguars top Johnston in PKs
Emmarie Becker found a new way to help the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team on a rainy Tuesday night. After scoring the tying goal in the 72nd minute, the junior midfielder eventually moved to the goalkeeper position during a shootout and came up with a crucial save as the third-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 6 Johnston, 3-2, in a Class 3A quarterfinal … [Read more...] about Becker scores tying goal, then makes huge save as Jaguars top Johnston in PKs
‘We just can’t take anything for granted’: Jaguars rout Roosevelt, advance to state
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There were two completely different vibes on the sideline after the first 40 minutes of play in Friday's Class 3A Region 3 girls' soccer championship game. The Ankeny Centennial players were dancing and clapping along with Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” blasting over the Ankeny Stadium speakers. The Des Moines Roosevelt … [Read more...] about ‘We just can’t take anything for granted’: Jaguars rout Roosevelt, advance to state
Jaguars cruise past depleted Urbandale squad, will host Roosevelt in regional final
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team took advantage of a depleted opponent on Wednesday to move one victory away from another trip to the Class 3A state tournament. The third-ranked Jaguars scored a season-high nine goals and rolled to a 9-0 victory over Urbandale in a Class 3A regional semifinal at Ankeny Stadium. The J-Hawks had not allowed more … [Read more...] about Jaguars cruise past depleted Urbandale squad, will host Roosevelt in regional final
‘I am really proud of us’: Postma, Jaguars close out season with win at Cedar Falls
Once the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team found the net, the third-ranked Jaguars cruised to an impressive road win on Tuesday. Centennial scored two goals in the final 4 minutes of the first half and went on to post a 4-0 victory over No. 12 Cedar Falls in a non-conference game to close out the regular season. The loss snapped a five-game winning … [Read more...] about ‘I am really proud of us’: Postma, Jaguars close out season with win at Cedar Falls
‘We felt it was a great team win’: Jaguars dominate, snap S.E. Polk’s winning streak
The Southeast Polk girls' soccer team entered Friday's game against visiting Ankeny Centennial as one of the hottest squads in the CIML Conference. The 11th-ranked Rams had won their previous five games, the second-longest current streak in the league. Only No. 2 Valley, which had won six straight contests, was riding a longer streak. But Southeast … [Read more...] about ‘We felt it was a great team win’: Jaguars dominate, snap S.E. Polk’s winning streak
‘The result is a bit of a gut-punch’: Jaguars settle for 1-1 tie after Johnston’s late goal
For the second time in five days, the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team battled hard for 80 minutes only to come away with a tie. Tuesday's 1-1 draw at No. 7 Johnston was a lot more unsatisfying than Friday's 1-1 tie against No. 4 Waukee, which featured a tying goal with about 8 minutes left from Centennial senior Ava Martin--who became … [Read more...] about ‘The result is a bit of a gut-punch’: Jaguars settle for 1-1 tie after Johnston’s late goal
‘That moment was amazing’: Jaguars tie Waukee on Martin’s record-breaking goal
It was only a matter of time before Ava Martin became the career scoring leader in Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer history. When the senior forward finally set the all-time record on Friday night, she did so in dramatic fashion. Martin scored off an assist from Emmarie Becker with about 8 minutes left to give the third-ranked Jaguars a 1-1 tie against … [Read more...] about ‘That moment was amazing’: Jaguars tie Waukee on Martin’s record-breaking goal
Martin ties career scoring record with 41st goal, leads Jaguars to 4-1 win over Ames
Ava Martin's final soccer game on Ankeny Centennial's turf field proved to be a memorable one. Martin recorded a brace to tie the school's career scoring record while leading the third-ranked Jaguars to a 4-1 victory over No. 13 Ames in a non-conference game on Monday. The senior forward has now scored 41 career goals, tying the mark set previously by … [Read more...] about Martin ties career scoring record with 41st goal, leads Jaguars to 4-1 win over Ames
‘We found that our bench is really deep’: Jags win bracket at Tourney of Champs
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team bounced back from a loss on Friday to win its bracket in the Tournament of Champions at Bettendorf. The third-ranked Jaguars closed out the tournament on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Pewaukee (Wis.). They are now 9-3 on the season. "I think both teams started a little sluggish, but we were able to gain … [Read more...] about ‘We found that our bench is really deep’: Jags win bracket at Tourney of Champs