It's time for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer teams to regroup. Both teams went 1-2 in the Tournament of Champions last week at Burlington. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes fell to 9-2 on the season, while the No. 2 Jaguars dropped to 7-2. Ankeny opened the tournament on Thursday with a 3-0 loss to Dunlap (Ill.). After dropping a 1-0 decision … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars look to regroup after going 1-2 at Tournament of Champions
Chris Allen
Jaguars outlast Johnston in shootout to win Central Conference opener
Chris Allen never likes to see a girls' high school soccer game decided by a shootout. But if it's going to happen, he'd prefer to win it. And that's what happened on Tuesday night, when Allen's second-ranked Ankeny Centennial squad won a shootout at No. 11 Johnston, 6-5, to post a 1-0 victory in its CIML Central Conference opener. "Winning in PKs … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Johnston in shootout to win Central Conference opener
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Macy Epp, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer
Sophomore Macy Epp is a member of the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. Epp has helped the second-ranked Jaguars to a 6-0 record. She has four goals and one assist on the season. "Macy is a dynamic player, who has had an impact in either a reserve or starting role," said Centennial coach Chris Allen. "She has scored two game-winning goals in … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Macy Epp, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer
‘Gritty’ goal by Epp allows Jaguars to edge Bettendorf in top-10 showdown
It took only one goal for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to remain unbeaten. The second-ranked Jaguars posted a 1-0 victory over No. 7 Bettendorf in a non-conference showdown on Thursday at Centennial. They raised their record to 5-0 on the season, while the Bulldogs dropped to 4-3. "Bettendorf came down to play, and that was fantastic," said … [Read more...] about ‘Gritty’ goal by Epp allows Jaguars to edge Bettendorf in top-10 showdown
No. 2 Centennial girls rout Bulldogs behind trio of hat tricks
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players spent more time on the bus Tuesday than they did on the field. The second-ranked Jaguars traveled to Ottumwa for a non-conference game and needed just 40 minutes to complete a 12-0 victory. The contest ended at halftime via the 10-goal mercy rule. "The girls kept the ball well, and we stayed organized for the … [Read more...] about No. 2 Centennial girls rout Bulldogs behind trio of hat tricks
Jaguars show mercy, finish off 11-0 victory in just 40 minutes
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team finally got a chance to open its season on Tuesday. The second-ranked Jaguars didn't let the opportunity go to waste. Centennial erupted for 11 goals in the first half and rolled to an 11-0 victory over visiting Fort Dodge. The game ended at halftime due to the mercy rule. "The team came out excited to play … [Read more...] about Jaguars show mercy, finish off 11-0 victory in just 40 minutes
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 40
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Girls' soccer coaches Simon Brown of Ankeny and Chris Allen of Ankeny Centennial stopped by to visit with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm about their expectations for the upcoming season. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 40
Defending state champion Jaguars ‘see this season as new challenge’
Here's a scary thought: the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team could be even better than a year ago, when the Jaguars captured their second state title in three seasons. Coach Chris Allen returns 11 players who started at some point last year. Seven of them have already committed to play for college programs, and two more college recruits have joined … [Read more...] about Defending state champion Jaguars ‘see this season as new challenge’
Centennial’s Allen named finalist for National Coach of the Year
Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer coach Chris Allen has been named a finalist for National Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. Eight finalists from across the nation in 19 different recognized sports will be honored during the National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet, which will take place at the NHSACA’s national … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Allen named finalist for National Coach of the Year
Jaguars top rival Ankeny in thriller for their 2nd state title in 3 years
Ankeny Centennial senior Kenzie Geiger held onto the Class 3A championship trophy and didn't want to let go. She finally allowed somebody else to hold it when a reporter interrupted her victory celebration. "It feels really amazing," Geiger said after the top-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 2 Ankeny, 3-2, in the Class 3A final of the girls' state soccer … [Read more...] about Jaguars top rival Ankeny in thriller for their 2nd state title in 3 years
Jaguars avenge loss to Waukee, earn shot to play for 2nd title in 3 years
At the beginning of the season, sophomore Miranda Wood was playing on Ankeny Centennial's junior varsity girls' soccer team. On Saturday, she'll be playing for a state championship against her crosstown rival. The former goalkeeper scored the go-ahead goal in the 50th minute and top-ranked Centennial went on to defeat No. 4 Waukee, 2-0, in the Class 3A … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge loss to Waukee, earn shot to play for 2nd title in 3 years
Jaguars get plenty of rest for starters in quarterfinal victory over C.B. Lincoln
Olivia Brown didn't mind spending the second half of Thursday's Class 3A quarterfinal on the bench. The Ankeny Centennial senior scored a pair of goals in the first half, then took a seat for the rest of the way as the top-ranked Jaguars cruised to a 7-0 victory over Council Bluffs Lincoln in the girls' state soccer tournament at Cownie Soccer Complex in … [Read more...] about Jaguars get plenty of rest for starters in quarterfinal victory over C.B. Lincoln
Big 2nd half sends Centennial girls back to state tourney
The pressure to qualify for the state tournament, especially when you're a highly-ranked team, can be overwhelming. After battling unranked Waterloo Schools to a scoreless tie in the first half of a Class 3A regional final on Monday, the members of the top-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer squad undoubtedly felt that pressure. Coach Chris Allen … [Read more...] about Big 2nd half sends Centennial girls back to state tourney
Jaguars’ scoring drought ends in rout over East in regional semifinal
After scoring a total of just four goals in the final three games of the regular season, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team had no trouble finding the net on Wednesday. The top-ranked Jaguars built a 6-0 halftime lead and rolled to a 10-0 victory over visiting Des Moines East in a Class 3A regional semifinal. The game was stopped in the second half … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ scoring drought ends in rout over East in regional semifinal
Wood’s blast allows Jaguars to edge No. 8 Johnston
A year ago, Miranda Wood was the third-string goalkeeper for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. Now, the sophomore is playing a key role in the midfield. Wood scored the game's only goal on a blast from about 40 yards out to give the top-ranked Jaguars a 1-0 victory at No. 8 Johnston in their regular-season finale on Thursday. "Miranda just … [Read more...] about Wood’s blast allows Jaguars to edge No. 8 Johnston
Smith’s goal allows Centennial girls to extend winning streak to 9 games
Most soccer players use their foot or their head to put the ball into the net. Sometimes, it's necessary to rely on other body parts. Marisa Smith used her thigh to score the game-winning goal Monday as top-ranked Ankeny Centennial posted a 1-0 victory at No. 7 Dowling Catholic in a non-conference contest. "I saw Meg (Gray) taking endline, and we … [Read more...] about Smith’s goal allows Centennial girls to extend winning streak to 9 games
Centennial girls top Linn-Mar, stay unbeaten in May
Two weeks ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team posted a huge 2-1 victory at Valley. On Friday, the top-ranked Jaguars returned to Valley Stadium and recorded another 2-1 win, this time against No. 12 Linn-Mar (Marion) as part of the Valley Invitational. Centennial rallied for two goals in the second half to remain unbeaten in May, improving to … [Read more...] about Centennial girls top Linn-Mar, stay unbeaten in May
Jaguars celebrate Senior Night with victory over Lincoln
Thursday's game against visiting Des Moines Lincoln was a chance for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to celebrate its seniors. The top-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 7-0 victory as seven different players each contributed a goal, including seniors Olivia Brown, Karina Fritz and Kenzie Geiger. Geiger also had an assist as Centennial raised its overall … [Read more...] about Jaguars celebrate Senior Night with victory over Lincoln
Centennial girls use big 2nd half to defeat Dodgers
It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to solve Fort Dodge's defensive alignment on Tuesday. After scoring just one goal in the first half, the top-ranked Jaguars added four more in the final 40 minutes to post a 5-0 victory at Fort Dodge. They improved their record to 11-2, while the Dodgers dropped to 4-5. "They ran a high line … [Read more...] about Centennial girls use big 2nd half to defeat Dodgers
Gray’s late PK lifts Jaguars past Lewis Central in matchup of No. 1 teams
Chris Allen didn't hesitate to find a shooter when the Council Bluffs Lewis Central girls' soccer team was called for a handball in the box during the final seconds of regulation in Saturday's game against Ankeny Centennial. He immediately called upon senior Megan Gray. "I think Meg believes in herself quite a bit," Allen said. "Her shots in practice … [Read more...] about Gray’s late PK lifts Jaguars past Lewis Central in matchup of No. 1 teams