Cal Wahlberg and Landon Benge each scored a pair of goals to lead the Ankeny boys' soccer team to a 6-2 victory over visiting Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate semifinal on a rainy Tuesday night. Austin Lundberg and Andrew Loder also found the net for the eighth-ranked Hawks, who matched their season-high of six goals in a win over Ames on April … [Read more...] about ‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg
Landon Benge
Ankeny boys cruise past Muscatine, then battle No. 6 Iowa City High to 1-1 draw
The Ankeny boys' soccer team went unbeaten on a weekend trip to Davenport North, coming away with a win and a tie. The eighth-ranked Hawks rolled to a 5-0 victory over Muscatine on Friday. They then battled No. 6 Iowa City High to a 1-1 draw on Saturday. "The score against Iowa City High does not show how well and hard we played," said Ankeny forward … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys cruise past Muscatine, then battle No. 6 Iowa City High to 1-1 draw
‘We bounced back and played our style!’: Benge, Hawks romp to 5-1 win at Waukee
Even when opposing defenders know that he's getting the ball, Ankeny forward Landon Benge is still pretty hard to contain. The senior racked up two goals and two assists to lead the eighth-ranked Hawks to a 5-1 victory at Waukee in a CIML Conference boys' soccer game on Monday. He now has 17 goals, which is tied for second in Class 4A. "It was a matter … [Read more...] about ‘We bounced back and played our style!’: Benge, Hawks romp to 5-1 win at Waukee
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Benge, Ankeny boys’ soccer
Senior forward Landon Benge is one of 10 returning starters for the Ankeny boys' soccer team, which opened its season on Friday with a 4-3 loss to visiting Dowling Catholic at Ankeny Stadium. The game was a rematch from last year's Class 4A quarterfinals, which was won by the Maroons, 3-2. Benge had a hat trick in the loss. He has committed to play for … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Benge, Ankeny boys’ soccer
‘I really like his style of play’: Benge commits to Flinn’s Drake soccer program
Ankeny boys' soccer standout Landon Benge found everything he was looking for at nearby Drake University. That's why the senior forward has committed to play for the Bulldogs next year. "I love the size, location, the soccer program and the coaching staff," said Benge. "I’ve had the opportunity to work with coach Pat (Flinn) at some camps, and I really … [Read more...] about ‘I really like his style of play’: Benge commits to Flinn’s Drake soccer program
Centennial’s Ty Duax joins his father as three-time all-state selection by IHSSCA
Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standout Ty Duax has joined his father in an exclusive club. Duax, a senior midfielder, has earned all-state honors from the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association for the third time, landing a spot on the Class 4A first team. He was a Class 4A second-team pick as a junior after being named to the Class 3A first team as … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Ty Duax joins his father as three-time all-state selection by IHSSCA
‘We just couldn’t hold on’: Hawks’ late lead slips away in 3-2 loss to No. 2 Dowling
A lot of blood, sweat and tears. The Ankeny boys' soccer players left it all on the field. The seventh-ranked Hawks led for much of the game before falling to No. 2 Dowling Catholic, 3-2, in the Class 4A quarterfinals of the state tournament on Wednesday night at Cownie Park. The Maroons never led until Kevin Copic scored the winning goal with just 1 … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t hold on’: Hawks’ late lead slips away in 3-2 loss to No. 2 Dowling
‘It feels amazing’: Lundberg’s late goal, Kobow’s ensuing PK send Hawks to state
The Ankeny boys' soccer team was less than a minute away from having its season come to an end on Wednesday at Northview. But the eighth-ranked Hawks never lost their faith. Austin Lundberg scored an equalizer on a free kick with 52 seconds left, and Ankeny went on to beat visiting Linn-Mar (Marion), 2-1, in a shootout in a Class 4A substate … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing’: Lundberg’s late goal, Kobow’s ensuing PK send Hawks to state
‘We were pretty confident’: Hawks top Centennial boys, regain pick axe trophy
For the fourth consecutive year, the pick axe trophy that goes to the annual winner of the Ankeny Derby has changed hands. The Ankeny boys' soccer team got a goal from Landon Benge early in the second half and went on to beat crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, 1-0, on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. The two teams have traded victories every year since … [Read more...] about ‘We were pretty confident’: Hawks top Centennial boys, regain pick axe trophy
Newhard, Hawks top Sioux City North, will host Sioux City East in substate final
When your team is ranked No. 1 in the state, you don't have to worry as much about your opponents. "We want to make sure that we're dictating play," said Marcus Varnum, the coach of the top-ranked Ankeny boys' soccer team. "We want to play our style and make sure that we're controlling the game. We feel like we can go into any game and play our style. We … [Read more...] about Newhard, Hawks top Sioux City North, will host Sioux City East in substate final