The success of the Ankeny boys' soccer program didn't happen overnight. The Hawks struggled to a 2-12-2 record in their first season of competition in 1985, and they didn't post a winning mark until 1989, when coach Mark McDougal led the team to a 7-6-3 campaign. The 1990s saw some gradual progress under McDougal and then Peter Rameh, who took over the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ soccer team
Charlie Pritchard
Former Ankeny, Centennial standouts to join St. Cloud State’s new soccer program
When St. Cloud State dropped its football program after the 2019 season, it brought an abrupt end to Avery Knief's career. The former Ankeny Centennial punter enjoyed a strong freshman season for the Huskies, averaging 37.5 yards on 70 punts. He considered transferring to a different school, but eventually elected to stay at St. Cloud State. Now, three … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny, Centennial standouts to join St. Cloud State’s new soccer program
#WeGoAgain: Pritchard leads Hawks past Lincoln, back to state tourney
Ankeny's Charlie Pritchard had to sit out the final game of last year's boys' state soccer tournament after picking up a red card following the Hawks' loss to Bettendorf in the Class 3A semifinals. The senior forward never lost faith that he'd get another chance to play at Cownie Park. On Saturday, Pritchard scored a pair of goals to ignite the … [Read more...] about #WeGoAgain: Pritchard leads Hawks past Lincoln, back to state tourney
Flip out, Charlie: Pritchard’s late heroics give Hawks 2-1 win over Centennial
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
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Kolby Raineri, Ankeny boys’ soccer
Senior midfielder Kolby Raineri is one of four returning starters for the Ankeny boys' soccer team. The Hawks will take a 0-2 record into Tuesday's home opener against Mason City. Raineri scored 20 goals and had nine assists last season, when he led Ankeny to a 17-5 record and a third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament. He was named to the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Kolby Raineri, Ankeny 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
Hawks, Jaguars look to control their emotions in rivalry game
The rivarly game between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer teams has always been an emotional one. This year's showdown features another layer of intrigue. Centennial coach Brian Duax will be facing his former players for the first time when the two teams collide on Tuesday at Ankeny at 7:30 p.m. "Controlling emotions (will be the key)," … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars look to control their emotions in rivalry game
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
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