Marcus Varnum

Overcoming a slow start, the Ankeny boys' soccer team remained unbeaten with an 8-0 victory at Mason City on Tuesday. The top-ranked Hawks led by just 1-0 at halftime, but then erupted for seven goals in the second half. They improved to 2-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 11-0 overall, while Mason City's records dropped to 0-3 and 0-7. “We didn’t get … [Read more...] about Newhard scores 4 goals, Wahlberg adds pair in Hawks’ 8-0 win at Mason City

After becoming the new No. 1 team in Class 3A, the Ankeny boys' soccer team didn't suffer a letdown. The Hawks dominated visiting Marshalltown in their CIML Iowa Conference opener on Tuesday, rolling to a 7-0 triumph over the Bobcats. "It was definitely great to get out and get a victory under our belts as the most recently ranked No. 1 team, but we … [Read more...] about Now ranked No. 1, Ankeny boys throttle Bobcats for 10th consecutive triumph

The Ankeny boys' soccer team just keeps rolling along. The Hawks won three games over the weekend at the Valley Invitational--all of them by shutout. They posted a 3-0 victory over Norwalk on Friday, then followed with a 3-0 win over Sioux City East and a 6-0 triumph over Council Bluffs Lincoln on Saturday. "We had a successful weekend," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys notch 3 shutouts at Valley Invitational, raise their record to 9-0

The fifth-ranked Ankeny boys' soccer team remained unbeaten with a pair of victories on Saturday at the Urbandale Invitational. The Hawks rolled to a 4-0 win over Indianola, then immediately followed with a 2-1 triumph over Des Moines Lincoln. They raised their record to 5-0 on the season. "It was a good day," said Ankeny coach Marcus Varnum. "We … [Read more...] about Hawks stay unbeaten with wins over Indianola, Lincoln at Urbandale Invite

The Ankeny boys' soccer team remained unbeaten with a 2-1 victory at Dowling Catholic in a non-conference game on Tuesday. Lucas Newhard scored the winning goal with about 5 minutes left off an assist by Hunter Yeatts. "Hunter clipped a nice ball over the top to Lucas, who beat the goalie and the center back," said Ankeny coach Marcus Varnum. "He got a … [Read more...] about Hawks edge Dowling on Newhard’s winning goal with 5 minutes left

With 10 returning starters, the Ankeny boys' soccer team didn't need a lot of newcomers to play key roles this season. But there's no doubt that senior Lucas Newhard will be an exception. Newhard scored four goals on Saturday as Ankeny opened its season with a pair of victories in eastern Iowa. The Hawks posted a 1-0 win at Linn-Mar (Marion) in the … [Read more...] about Newcomer Newhard scores 4 goals as Hawks top Linn-Mar, rout C.R. Kennedy

A year ago, the Ankeny boys' soccer team posted an 11-6 record despite having an inexperienced squad. Now, the Hawks are beginning their second campaign under coach Marcus Varnum with a roster that is both seasoned and talented. "The strengths of our team are definitely the year of experience and growth that all of our returning players are bringing," … [Read more...] about ‘Our goal is to go as far as possible’: Experienced Hawks return 10 starters

The path to a state title for the Valley boys' soccer team will have to go through both of Ankeny's teams. The fourth-ranked Tigers avenged an earlier loss with a 3-1 victory over No. 13 Ankeny in a Class 3A substate final on Wednesday at Valley Stadium. The Hawks finished the season with an 11-6 record. Valley (16-4) advances to the Class 3A … [Read more...] about Valley avenges earlier loss to Ankeny, will now face Jaguars in 3A quarterfinals

One goal proved to be enough for the Ankeny boys' soccer team. Mason Yeatts scored in the first half and the 13th-ranked Hawks went on to defeat visiting Ames, 1-0, in a Class 3A substate semifinal on Monday. It was Ankeny's second consecutive victory over the Little Cyclones--the Hawks also won, 3-2, in a shootout on May 14 in what turned out to be their … [Read more...] about Hawks overcome disallowed goal for 1-0 victory over Ames in substate semifinal

There wasn't a lot at stake on Friday for the Ankeny boys' soccer team. But the 11th-ranked Hawks badly needed a win, and they got it in dramatic fashion. Ankeny posted a 3-2 victory over visiting Ames in a shootout in the CIML Iowa Conference finale for both teams, who could meet again in substate play. "We needed (the win) for confidence," said … [Read more...] about Hawks allow tying goal in final minute, but then defeat Ames in shootout

Marshalltown's grass soccer field is considered by most coaches throughout the CIML as the worst playing surface in the league. Ankeny boys' coach Marcus Varnum refused to blame the field, however, for his team's 3-0 loss to the Bobcats on Tuesday. "You hate to really blame it on that, because I think the boys brought the energy and the efforts," … [Read more...] about ‘We couldn’t quite get our feet under us’: Hawks suffer 3-o loss at Marshalltown

A pair of goals in a 5-minute span wasn't enough to lift the Ankeny boys' soccer team to a non-conference victory on Friday at Johnston. The 10th-ranked Hawks scored twice midway through the first half to build a 2-0 lead, but No. 8 Johnston later tied the game in the second half and eventually posted a 3-2 win in a shootout. The Dragons won the shootout … [Read more...] about Johnston boys battle back from 2-0 deficit, defeat Hawks in a shootout

The Ankeny boys' soccer team tuned up for Monday's showdown against Ankeny Centennial with a 6-1 victory at Fort Dodge on Friday. Jose Aguilar scored a pair of goals as the 11th-ranked Hawks improved to 2-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 9-2 overall. Fort Dodge's records dropped to 0-2 and 0-8. The Dodgers had lost to Centennial, 10-0, on the same … [Read more...] about Aguilar scores pair of goals, leads Ankeny boys to 6-1 victory at Fort Dodge

Tuesday's 3-1 victory over visiting Mason City probably wasn't the Ankeny boys' soccer team's most impressive win of the season. But it was a productive triumph nonetheless. "Everyone got minutes for us, and that was the best part," said Ankeny coach Marcus Varnum. Ankeny held a 1-0 lead at halftime. The Hawks then added two more goals in the second … [Read more...] about ‘We grew together as a team’: Hawks top Mason City in conference opener

The Southeast Polk boys' soccer team brought a physical style of play to the Ankeny High School field on Friday night. The Hawks matched Southeast Polk's intensity, scoring two goals in the second half to post a 3-1 victory. "It was definitely a good win for us," said Ankeny coach Marcus Varnum. "It was a physical and mental battle. They had guys that … [Read more...] about ‘It was a physical and mental battle’: Hawks overcome S.E. Polk’s intensity

There's no reason for the Ankeny boys' soccer team to panic. But coach Marcus Varnum is hoping that the Hawks can learn from Tuesday's 2-1 loss at Urbandale. "The sky isn't falling. It isn't the end of the world," said Varnum, whose team had its six-game winning streak snapped. "But we can't casually walk away from this one. We're going to see … [Read more...] about ‘It isn’t the end of the world’: Urbandale boys snap Hawks’ winning streak