Ankeny's Charlie Pritchard likes to celebrate big goals with a backflip. On Tuesday, the senior forward scored perhaps the biggest goal of his high school soccer career. Pritchard dribbled down the left side of the field and fought off two defenders before finding the back of the net in the 67th minute to give the 14th-ranked Hawks a 2-1 victory at No. … [Read more...] about Flip out, Charlie: Pritchard’s late heroics give Hawks 2-1 win over Centennial
Brian Duax
Crosstown rivals gear up for top-10 showdowns at Ankeny Derby
Tuesday's Ankeny Derby will feature a pair of top-10 soccer showdowns at Ankeny Centennial. In the opener, the sixth-ranked Centennial girls' team (1-1, 8-3) will host No. 3 Ankeny (2-0, 10-2) at 6 p.m. It will be a rematch of last year's Class 3A championship game, which was won by the Jaguars, 3-2. "I'm sure Ankeny will be fired up and rightfully … [Read more...] about Crosstown rivals gear up for top-10 showdowns at Ankeny Derby
Lineup changes pay off as Jaguars defeat Hoover for 12th win of season
Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax recently moved his team's leading scorer, Will Overberg, to the Jaguars' defensive backfield. It might seem like an odd move, but Centennial has yet to give up an "earned goal" in the two games since Duax changed his lineup. On Thursday, the fifth-ranked Jaguars posted a 3-1 victory over No. 16 Des Moines … [Read more...] about Lineup changes pay off as Jaguars defeat Hoover for 12th win of season
Jaguars dominate Dowling Catholic, keep Central Conference title hopes alive
The final score didn't reflect how Ankeny Centennial dominated Tuesday's boys' soccer game at Dowling Catholic. The fifth-ranked Jaguars came away with a 2-1 victory on a rainy night, handing No. 14 Dowling its fourth straight loss. "It was quite possibly the most convincing 2-1 game I've ever seen," said Centennial coach Brian Duax. "We gifted them … [Read more...] about Jaguars dominate Dowling Catholic, keep Central Conference title hopes alive
No. 7 Pleasant Valley snaps Centennial boys’ seven-game winning streak
Two of the hottest boys' soccer teams in Class 3A collided on Saturday in Iowa City. It turned out to be a wake-up call for second-ranked Ankeny Centennial. The Jaguars dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 7 Pleasant Valley, ending their seven-game winning streak. The Spartans (9-1), meanwhile, have now won nine straight games since a season-opening loss to … [Read more...] about No. 7 Pleasant Valley snaps Centennial boys’ seven-game winning streak
Late goals by Overberg, Besic allow Jaguars to escape with 2-1 victory
Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax was worried that his team might be overlooking Johnston. He was almost prophetic. The second-ranked Jaguars trailed for most of the game before scoring twice in the last 14 minutes to escape with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday at Centennial. "I had a feeling that the boys were overlooking Johnston because of … [Read more...] about Late goals by Overberg, Besic allow Jaguars to escape with 2-1 victory
Centennial soccer standouts to become future rivals on the pitch
A quartet of seniors has led the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team to a 9-1 record and a No. 2 ranking in Class 3A heading into Tuesday night's game against No. 11 Johnston. In the future, though, the longtime friends and teammates will become rivals on the pitch. Forward Will Overberg verbally committed last week to play for Luther College, while … [Read more...] about Centennial soccer standouts to become future rivals on the pitch
Jaguars rise to No. 2 in Class 3A rankings, then win conference opener
After rising to No. 2 in the latest Class 3A rankings, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team opened CIML Central Conference play with a 3-0 victory at No. 16 Ames on Thursday. Nick Ashton, Michael Brandt and Will Overberg each had a goal and an assist in the win. Michael Poitry was also credited with an assist. "It was a really good win," said … [Read more...] about Jaguars rise to No. 2 in Class 3A rankings, then win conference opener
Centennial boys rely on fast start to defeat Ottumwa, 9-0
It didn't take long for the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team to put a stranglehold on Tuesday's game against visiting Ottumwa. The fourth-ranked Jaguars erupted for seven goals in the first 14 minutes and cruised to a 9-0 victory in the non-conference contest. "It was a good win," said Centennial coach Brian Duax. "We've been talking a lot about … [Read more...] about Centennial boys rely on fast start to defeat Ottumwa, 9-0
Jaguars outlast Linn-Mar on Overberg’s penalty kick in OT
It wasn't pretty, but the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team found a way to extend its winning streak on Saturday. Will Overberg converted a penalty kick in overtime to give the fourth-ranked Jaguars a 3-2 victory over visiting Linn-Mar (Marion). It was the fourth consecutive win for Centennial, which improved to 7-1 on the season. "That's not the way … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Linn-Mar on Overberg’s penalty kick in OT
Jaguars finally get their offense untracked, roll to 6-0 win over Lincoln
Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax has been waiting for his team to find the net. The Jaguars finally found it. Centennial scored a season-high six goals and rolled to a 6-0 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln on Tuesday. The Jaguars raised their record to 5-1. "It was a good game," Duax said. "We finally started putting the ball … [Read more...] about Jaguars finally get their offense untracked, roll to 6-0 win over Lincoln
Jaguars dominate entire game, but tumble to Valley in a shootout
Sometimes, the ball just doesn't bounce your way. In the game of soccer, it can happen quite frequently. It's just the nature of the sport. The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team was the victim of that cruel reality on Thursday, when the Jaguars suffered a 2-1 loss at Valley in a shootout after dominating the entire contest. "It was a very, very … [Read more...] about Jaguars dominate entire game, but tumble to Valley in a shootout
‘Captain America’ leads the way as Jaguars finish 3-0 at I.C. West Invitational
Ankeny Centennial's Michael Brandt often resembles a superhero on the soccer pitch. The senior midfielder scored a goal in all three games as the Jaguars opened their season on Friday and Saturday with a trio of victories at the Iowa City West Invitational. Now, Brandt has a nickname courtesy of his head coach. "He's like Captain America," said … [Read more...] about ‘Captain America’ leads the way as Jaguars finish 3-0 at I.C. West Invitational
Jaguars are ‘even more hungry’ after OT loss in last year’s state tournament
The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer players got a glimpse of what the state tournament is all about last season. The Jaguars advanced to the Class 3A tournament at Cownie Soccer Park before dropping a 2-1 overtime decision to Iowa City West in the quarterfinals. "Getting to state last year gave the boys a good taste of what it will take to do it again … [Read more...] about Jaguars are ‘even more hungry’ after OT loss in last year’s state tournament
Iowa Rush 18U boys’ team captures national championship
The Iowa Rush Soccer Club made some history on Sunday in the U.S. Youth Soccer Presidents Cup at Westfield, Ind. The Ankeny-based club advanced two teams to the finals of their respective divisions, the 18U boys' team and the 14U girls' squad. The 18U boys' team posted a 5-1 victory over Barcelona of Arizona to become the first Iowa program to win a U.S. … [Read more...] about Iowa Rush 18U boys’ team captures national championship
‘Unlucky bounce’ ends Jaguars’ season in Class 3A quarterfinals
The cruel nature of soccer is that the ball doesn't always bounce your way. That was the case on Thursday for eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial, which suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to No. 5 Iowa City West in the Class 3A quarterfinals of the boys' state tournament at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. Micah Frisbie scored the game-winner for the Trojans … [Read more...] about ‘Unlucky bounce’ ends Jaguars’ season in Class 3A quarterfinals
Hawks, Jaguars gear up for state tournament openers on Thursday
When the boys' state soccer tournament gets under way on Thursday at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines, fans of both Ankeny teams will get a chance to see two games for the price of one. Sixth-ranked Ankeny (15-4) and No. 8 Ankeny Centennial (15-4) will be playing Class 3A quarterfinal games on nearby fields. The Hawks and Jaguars could potentially meet … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars gear up for state tournament openers on Thursday
Hinners’ saves, Keninger’s kick send Jaguars to state for first time since 2015
When Mitch Hinners woke up on Saturday morning, he had no idea he would play such a pivotal role for the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team in its quest for a berth in the Class 3A state tournament. His diving saves, though, were a driving force for the eighth-ranked Jaguars in their 1-0 shootout victory over No. 14 Des Moines Lincoln in a substate final … [Read more...] about Hinners’ saves, Keninger’s kick send Jaguars to state for first time since 2015
Jaguars hold off Marshalltown for 2-1 victory in substate opener
A solid first half turned out to be just enough on Wednesday for the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team to keep its season alive. The eighth-ranked Jaguars built a 2-0 halftime lead against visiting Marshalltown in a Class 3A substate semifinal, then held off the Bobcats in the second half to post a 2-1 victory that was too close for comfort. "The … [Read more...] about Jaguars hold off Marshalltown for 2-1 victory in substate opener
Jaguars roll past Fort Dodge in regular-season finale
The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team celebrated its Senior Night on Tuesday with a 9-0 victory over visiting Fort Dodge. Will Overberg scored a pair of goals and also had two assists as the sixth-ranked Jaguars closed out the regular season with a 13-4 record. They will now have a week off before opening substate play. The loss was the 11th in a row … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Fort Dodge in regular-season finale