Ankeny Fanatic

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Landon Benge

Benge earns all-state honors in Class 4A along with Duax, Gloviak, Wahlberg

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Ankeny boys' soccer standout Landon Benge has been named to the Class 4A all-state first team for the second straight year by the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association. Benge, a senior forward, was joined on the first team by teammate Dylan Gloviak, a senior defender. Junior forward Tate Duax of Ankeny Centennial was also a first-team pick, while … [Read more...] about Benge earns all-state honors in Class 4A along with Duax, Gloviak, Wahlberg

‘Nobody thought we’d be here’: Hawks end season with semifinal loss to Valley

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Ankeny senior Landon Benge stood on the field at Mediacom Stadium, his future home as a member of the Drake men's soccer team. His brilliant high school career had just ended a few minutes earlier, short of his ultimate goal. "I am so proud of this team," Benge said as he hugged his teammates after eighth-ranked Ankeny fell to No. 1 Valley, 1-0, in a … [Read more...] about ‘Nobody thought we’d be here’: Hawks end season with semifinal loss to Valley

‘They deserved it’: Hawks oust Roosevelt, will play No. 1 Valley in Class 4A semifinals

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For the first time since the 2018 season, the Ankeny boys' soccer team is heading to the state tournament semifinals. The eighth-ranked Hawks got a pair of goals from senior Landon Benge and another from junior Cal Wahlberg to post a 3-1 victory over No. 2 Des Moines Roosevelt in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Monday at Mediacom … [Read more...] about ‘They deserved it’: Hawks oust Roosevelt, will play No. 1 Valley in Class 4A semifinals

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cal Wahlberg, Ankeny boys’ soccer

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Junior midfielder Cal Wahlberg scored the golden goal in overtime to give the eighth-ranked Ankeny boys' soccer team a 3-2 victory over No. 10 Des Moines Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Thursday at Ankeny. It was his seventh goal of the season. Wahlberg has helped Ankeny to an 11-5-2 record and a second consecutive trip to the state tournament. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cal Wahlberg, Ankeny boys’ soccer

Wahlberg’s golden goal sends Hawks back to state tourney in dramatic fashion

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) No matter how the extra time golden goal went in, it was going to be either the game that got away from Ankeny or the major comeback effort that fell just short for visiting Des Moines Lincoln. But in back-to-back seasons, the Hawks will now head into the boys' Class 4A state soccer tournament off the back of a dramatic … [Read more...] about Wahlberg’s golden goal sends Hawks back to state tourney in dramatic fashion

‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg

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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

Ankeny boys cruise past Muscatine, then battle No. 6 Iowa City High to 1-1 draw

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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