On paper, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team appeared to be the underdog in Tuesday's game at Valley. The Jaguars responded with a 2-1 victory over an opponent that had won its first three games by a combined margin of 21-0. "It was a big win, and an important one as well," said Centennial coach Chris Allen. "It was an opportunity to kind of buy … [Read more...] about ‘The kids really bought in’: Jaguars make changes, respond with win over Valley
Chris Allen
‘The wind was really a factor’: Pleasant Valley rallies for 3-2 win over Jaguars
Pleasant Valley proved to be a formidable foe for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team on Saturday. The wind turned out to be an adversary as well. With the wind at their backs, the Spartans scored two goals in the second half to rally for a 3-2 victory over Centennial. The game was part of the inaugural Ankeny and Centennial Crosstown … [Read more...] about ‘The wind was really a factor’: Pleasant Valley rallies for 3-2 win over Jaguars
Jaguars rally past Waverly-Shell Rock, give Allen his 100th career victory
Chris Allen's 100th career coaching victory at Ankeny Centennial turned out to be a memorable one. The Jaguars rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit to beat Waverly-Shell Rock, 3-2, in a non-conference girls' soccer game on Friday. The season opener was part of the inaugural Ankeny and Centennial Crosstown Invitational. "It feels really good," said … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally past Waverly-Shell Rock, give Allen his 100th career victory
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 130
Girls' soccer coaches Simon Brown of Ankeny and Chris Allen of Ankeny Centennial were the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 130
‘We have the opportunity to be quite formidable’: Jaguars boast depth, speed
Making up for lost time is one of the goals for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. The Jaguars reached the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament in 2019 before the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We want to be playing soccer on absolutely every date possible," said Centennial coach Chris Allen. "We want to pass on … [Read more...] about ‘We have the opportunity to be quite formidable’: Jaguars boast depth, speed
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ soccer team
When the Ankeny girls' soccer program began in 1996, the Hawkettes didn't immediately find success. Ankeny struggled in its first three seasons, going a combined 12-33-1 under coach Rhonda Fors. However, Fors turned the program around in 1999, guiding the Hawkettes to a 12-7 record for their first winning season. Since then, the Ankeny program … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ soccer team
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carlie Jensen, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer
Senior midfielder Carlie Jensen is one of the top returning players for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. She helped the Jaguars to a 16-4 record last year and was named to the all-tournament team after the Jaguars reached the Class 3A semifinals. Jensen led the team with 10 goals and eight assists. She was selected to the Class 3A all-state … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carlie Jensen, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer
Centennial’s Allen receives Golden Plaque of Distinction award from IGHSAU
Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer coach Chris Allen is the 2019 recipient of the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union’s Soccer Golden Plaque of Distinction award. He was honored prior to the start of the Class 3A state championship game on Saturday. The IGHSAU Golden Plaque of Distinction is awarded to the Iowa coach who has demonstrated a successful … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Allen receives Golden Plaque of Distinction award from IGHSAU
Jaguars’ bid for back-to-back titles ends with shootout loss to No. 1 Waukee
There wasn't much separation this season between the top girls' soccer teams in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. Four of them advanced to Friday's semifinals at the Class 3A state tournament, and two of them needed a shootout to determine which team which would advance to Saturday's championship game at Cownie Soccer Complex. When the dust finally … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ bid for back-to-back titles ends with shootout loss to No. 1 Waukee
Langstraat’s game-winner sends Jaguars into semifinal showdown against Waukee
Ankeny Centennial's Kenzie Langstraat wasn't worried when Council Bluffs Lincoln scored the tying goal midway through the second half of Thursday's Class 3A quarterfinal at the girls' state soccer tournament. Less than a minute later, Langstraat scored what proved to be the winning goal as the fourth-ranked Jaguars advanced to Friday's semifinals with a … [Read more...] about Langstraat’s game-winner sends Jaguars into semifinal showdown against Waukee
Jaguars, Hawkettes gear up for rematches in Class 3A quarterfinals
The girls' Class 3A state soccer tournament has a familiar look to it. All eight qualifiers are back from last year's tournament. Even more amazing, all four of Thursday's quarterfinal games are rematches from 2018. Fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial (15-3), the defending champion, will play No. 5 Council Bluffs Lincoln (16-2) at 4:15 p.m. on Field 8 at … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes gear up for rematches in Class 3A quarterfinals
Jaguars survive ‘nerve-racking game’, reach state for 4th consecutive year
Qualifying for the state tournament never gets old for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. Achieving that goal, however, can sometimes be a little unsettling. The fourth-ranked Jaguars earned their fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament with a 2-0 victory over No. 15 Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a Class 3A regional final on Monday at … [Read more...] about Jaguars survive ‘nerve-racking game’, reach state for 4th consecutive year
Jaguars roll past Fort Dodge, will play C.R. Kennedy for trip to state
It didn't take long for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to turn Wednesday's game against visiting Fort Dodge into a rout. Elizabeth Overberg scored a goal in the opening minute off an assist by Kenzie Langstraat, and the fourth-ranked Jaguars went on to post a 13-0 victory in a Class 3A regional semifinal. The game ended at halftime due to the … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Fort Dodge, will play C.R. Kennedy for trip to state
Jaguars win shootout on Jumper’s save, earn outright Central Conference title
As Ames' Alison Moore approached the ball to attempt a penalty kick, Ankeny Centennial goalkeeper Aly Jumper dove to her right. The sophomore made the correct decision. Jumper stopped Moore's shot to give the fourth-ranked Jaguars a 1-0 victory over No. 11 Ames in a shootout on Thursday at Centennial. The win allowed Centennial to capture the outright … [Read more...] about Jaguars win shootout on Jumper’s save, earn outright Central Conference title
No. 4 Jaguars blank S.E. Polk for their 12th shutout of the season
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team struggled once again on Monday night to find the net. But as long as the Jaguars continue to keep a clean sheet, their scoring woes may not come back to bite them. Fourth-ranked Centennial got an early goal from Elizabeth Overberg and made it stand up for a 1-0 victory over visiting Southeast Polk on the … [Read more...] about No. 4 Jaguars blank S.E. Polk for their 12th shutout of the season
Halftime adjustments pay off for Jaguars with 8-0 victory over Mason City
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team tuned up for Thursday's showdown against Ames with an 8-0 victory over visiting Mason City on Tuesday. Seven different players scored goals for the fourth-ranked Jaguars, who improved to 11-3 on the season. The Mohawks' record dropped to 9-5. "Our first goal came in the first half on an incredible off-balance … [Read more...] about Halftime adjustments pay off for Jaguars with 8-0 victory over Mason City
Hawkettes, Jaguars post road wins, remain tied for league lead
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer teams remained in a tie for first place atop the CIML Central Conference as both squads posted road victories on Friday. Fourth-ranked Centennial recorded a 1-0 overtime win at Urbandale, while No. 5 Ankeny rolled to a 5-1 triumph at No. 10 Johnston. The Hawkettes and Jaguars are both 3-1 in the league with … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars post road wins, remain tied for league lead
A JUMP FOR JOY: Jaguars hold off Ankeny, move into tie for league lead
Chris Allen's game plan didn't go according to script on Tuesday night. But somehow, his Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team still emerged with a win over its archrival. The sixth-ranked Jaguars got a goal from Elizabeth Overberg in the 45th minute and defeated No. 3 Ankeny, 1-0, in a CIML Central Conference showdown at Centennial. "We had some … [Read more...] about A JUMP FOR JOY: Jaguars hold off Ankeny, move into tie for league lead
Jaguars thump Hoover in tune-up for showdown against Ankeny
Rebounding from rare back-to-back losses, the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team cruised to a 9-0 victory at Des Moines Hoover on Friday. The Jaguars improved to 8-3 on the season. Hoover's record fell to 1-7. "I was pleased on our commitment to work on objectives that would develop our team rather than just scoring goal after goal but … [Read more...] about Jaguars thump Hoover in tune-up for showdown against Ankeny
Centennial girls fall to Maroons in shootout, suffer 3rd loss in 4 games
The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team is finding out what it's like to have a target on its back. The defending state champion Jaguars lost for the third time in four games on Tuesday, falling to No. 8 Dowling Catholic, 2-1, in a shootout at Centennial. The contest was played in a steady rain with strong winds. "The weather was … [Read more...] about Centennial girls fall to Maroons in shootout, suffer 3rd loss in 4 games