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
Dan Bertsch
Bertsch departs after successful three-year run as Ankeny girls’ soccer coach
Ankeny girls' soccer coach Dan Bertsch has resigned from his position after three years with the program. Ankeny Activities Director Brent Buttjer said that all three of Bertsch's assistants have resigned as well. "Coach Bertsch provided a great deal of passion and dedication to our girls’ soccer program for which I am grateful. We wish him luck in the … [Read more...] about Bertsch departs after successful three-year run as Ankeny girls’ soccer coach
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
Class 3A title game puts Iowa Rush teammates on opposite sides of field
Saturday's Class 3A championship game at the girls' state soccer tournament was like an instrasquad scrimmage for the Iowa Rush. About 20 members of the Rush played for either Ankeny or Ankeny Centennial in the title contest at Cownie Soccer Complex, putting teammates and lifelong friends on opposite sides of the field. "It was a little physical, and … [Read more...] about Class 3A title game puts Iowa Rush teammates on opposite sides of field
Ankeny dominates shootout against Tigers, setting up Jag-Hawk showdown for title
Will the last person to leave Ankeny on Saturday afternoon please turn out the lights? There is likely going to be a huge caravan of cars making the short trip to the south side of Des Moines for the Class 3A championship game of the girls' state soccer tournament. For the first time ever in any sport, Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will play for a state … [Read more...] about Ankeny dominates shootout against Tigers, setting up Jag-Hawk showdown for title
2015 state tournament hero helps Hawkettes to win over Linn-Mar
It's going to be hard for Morgan Bennett to top what she did at the girls' state soccer tournament three years ago. But she's sure going to try. Bennett, who scored the golden goal as a freshman in 2015 to give Ankeny an overtime victory against Pleasant Valley in the Class 2A championship game, was back at Cownie Soccer Complex on Thursday for a Class … [Read more...] about 2015 state tournament hero helps Hawkettes to win over Linn-Mar
Hawkettes roll past Muscatine, earn another trip to state tourney
The Ankeny girls' soccer team didn't put a lot of emphasis on its opponent heading into Monday's regional final at Ankeny. It proved to be an effective strategy. The second-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 6-0 victory over No. 14 Muscatine to reach the state tournament for the second straight year. The Muskies finished with an 11-7 record. "I think we … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Muscatine, earn another trip to state tourney
Humble Legg sets single-season scoring record in Hawkettes’ win over Indianola
Ankeny's Alexis Legg scored four goals in the first 10 minutes of Wednesday's girls' soccer game against visiting Indianola. And she wasn't done yet. Legg later added a fifth goal, allowing her to break the school's single-season scoring record, as the second-ranked Hawkettes romped to a 10-0 victory in a Class 3A regional semifinal. The game ended at … [Read more...] about Humble Legg sets single-season scoring record in Hawkettes’ win over Indianola
Hawkettes rout Hoover in regular-season finale
The 15th win of the season for the Ankeny girls' soccer team may have been its easiest. The second-ranked Hawkettes cruised to a 14-0 victory at Des Moines Hoover on Tuesday. It was the team's final game of the regular season. "To be honest, I would have liked a tougher game," said Ankeny coach Dan Bertsch, whose team raised its record to 15-2. "You … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout Hoover in regular-season finale
Two early goals ignite Hawkettes to 3-0 win over Dowling Catholic
The Ankeny girls' soccer team looks ready for postseason play. The third-ranked Hawkettes scored two goals in the first 10 minutes of the game and went on to defeat No. 6 Dowling Catholic, 3-0, in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday at Ankeny. The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Maroons, who fell to 9-2 on the season. "I think we kind … [Read more...] about Two early goals ignite Hawkettes to 3-0 win over Dowling Catholic
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 1
Check out Ankeny Fanatic's first-ever weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny resident and former NFL running back Fred Jackson stopped by to visit with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviewed the head coach of the third-ranked Ankeny girls' soccer team, Dan Bertsch. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 1
Kooker records hat trick as Hawkettes romp past Roosevelt
This time, the Ankeny girls' soccer team didn't have to go to extra time. Instead, the third-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 10-0 victory over Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference game on Tuesday at Cownie Park. The contest ended early due to the 10-goal mercy rule. "These are always games where you work on the little details right now, especially … [Read more...] about Kooker records hat trick as Hawkettes romp past Roosevelt
Hawkettes topple Valley in double OT, give Jaguars outright conference title
The Ankeny girls' soccer team was in a giving mood Friday. The third-ranked Hawkettes provided coach Dan Bertsch with a nice birthday present by defeating No. 2 Valley, 3-2, in double overtime at Ankeny. The win avenged last year's loss to the Tigers in the Class 3A quarterfinals. The victory also gave crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial the outright … [Read more...] about Hawkettes topple Valley in double OT, give Jaguars outright conference title
Frederick saves the day; Hawkettes outlast Waukee in shootout
Waukee Stadium is beginning to feel like a second home to the Ankeny girls' soccer team. The fifth-ranked Hawkettes posted a 3-2 victory in a shootout on Tuesday at No. 2 Waukee. The game was a rematch of last year's regional final on the same field, which was won by Ankeny, 2-1. "It feels really good to take them down again just like we did last … [Read more...] about Frederick saves the day; Hawkettes outlast Waukee in shootout
Legg scores 4 goals in Hawkettes’ 10-0 victory
Ankeny senior Alexis Legg showed on Friday why she's considered one of the state's top girls' soccer players. The Augustana (S.D.) recruit scored four goals to lead the fifth-ranked Hawkettes to a 10-0 victory over visiting Marshalltown. She has now scored 18 goals on the season, putting her just one goal behind a group of six players that leads the state … [Read more...] about Legg scores 4 goals in Hawkettes’ 10-0 victory
Lopez boots game-winner; Jaguars top Ankeny for 3rd straight time
Ankeny Centennial's Nahomi Lopez didn't mind turning the goalkeeping duties over to her sister, Marissa, on Wednesday at Ankeny High School. It allowed Nahomi to score the game-winning goal against her crosstown rival. Nahomi converted a penalty kick to give the third-ranked Jaguars a 3-2 victory over No. 6 Ankeny in the completion of Tuesday's … [Read more...] about Lopez boots game-winner; Jaguars top Ankeny for 3rd straight time
Ankeny Centennial wins PK shootout to defeat crosstown rival
The Jaguars overcome a lightning delay to post a 3-2 victory at Ankeny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay9vaZ9EonM … [Read more...] about Ankeny Centennial wins PK shootout to defeat crosstown rival
Hawkettes, Jaguars gear up for crosstown showdown
Last weekend's Tournament of Champions in Burlington took a toll on both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer teams heading into Tuesday's crosstown showdown. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes went 3-0 on the weekend to win their bracket, while the No. 3 Jaguars advanced to the championship game of their division before dropping a 3-1 decision to … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars gear up for crosstown showdown
Hegelheimer’s goal in OT knocks Hawkettes from unbeaten ranks
The Ankeny girls' soccer team couldn't figure out a way to stop Ames' Melina Hegelheimer. It resulted in the Hawkettes' first loss of the season. Hegelheimer scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in overtime, as the ninth-ranked Little Cyclones posted a 3-2 victory at No. 5 Ankeny in a CIML Central Conference showdown on Tuesday. "It was … [Read more...] about Hegelheimer’s goal in OT knocks Hawkettes from unbeaten ranks
Hawkettes ‘don’t play their best’ but still roll to 7-0 triumph
The members of the Ankeny girls' soccer team may have been a little distracted during Friday's game against Des Moines Lincoln. With prom weekend coming up, the fifth-ranked Hawkettes didn't play their best but still managed to post a 7-0 victory at Cownie Park. "It was kind of a tough night," said Ankeny coach Dan Bertsch. "We never really found our … [Read more...] about Hawkettes ‘don’t play their best’ but still roll to 7-0 triumph