Ankeny Fanatic

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Simon Brown

After winning state title in 2019, Ankeny girls ‘get to make their own story’ in 2021

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Ankeny was the last girls' soccer team to capture the Class 3A state championship. But you won't hear coach Simon Brown talking to the Hawkettes about defending their crown this season. Ankeny won the fourth state title in school history in 2019. The 2020 campaign was then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning that most of the Hawkettes' … [Read more...] about After winning state title in 2019, Ankeny girls ‘get to make their own story’ in 2021

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Acacia Biehl, Ankeny girls’ soccer

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Senior Acacia Biehl helped the Ankeny girls' soccer team to the Class 3A state championship in 2019. She had one goal and three assists for the Hawkettes. Biehl has committed to play for Wartburg College in the fall. Here is some inside info on Biehl: You have an interesting first name. Is there a story behind how you got it? My parents have … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Acacia Biehl, Ankeny girls’ soccer

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ soccer team

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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

‘Some things we can’t control’: Athletes, coaches react to cancellation of sports

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Katie Petersen got together with some of her Ankeny Centennial teammates on Thursday night to continue preparing for what she thought would be her final high school track season. "I was just at the track with a few friends, and we were talking about our new meet schedules and who was going to be on our shuttle (hurdle relay)," said Petersen, one of the … [Read more...] about ‘Some things we can’t control’: Athletes, coaches react to cancellation of sports

CANCELLED: COVID-19 wipes out spring high school activities

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The Ankeny girls' soccer team won't have a chance to defend its Class 3A state title. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on Friday that all schools will remain closed through the end of the school year due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus. All spring high school activities have now been cancelled. "I'm just setting up meetings now with the kids … [Read more...] about CANCELLED: COVID-19 wipes out spring high school activities

Updated schedule provides glimmer of hope for spring sport athletes, coaches

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A glimmer of hope arrived earlier this week for Will Blevins, Jaci Webb and the rest of the spring sport athletes throughout the state of Iowa. On Monday, an updated schedule for spring sports was released in a joint statement from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association. All spring activities had … [Read more...] about Updated schedule provides glimmer of hope for spring sport athletes, coaches

Ankeny’s Brown promoted to head men’s soccer coach at William Penn

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Ankeny girls' soccer coach Simon Brown has been promoted to head men's soccer coach at William Penn University, where he had been the associate head men's and women's coach for the last three years. Brown, who led the Hawkettes to the Class 3A state title in his first season last year, said he hopes to keep both coaching jobs for a long time. "There's … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Brown promoted to head men’s soccer coach at William Penn

‘I’ve got more soccer in me’: Ankeny goalkeeper Frederick to play for Simpson

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Ankeny's Brenny Frederick wasn't sure if she wanted to continue playing soccer. Once she decided that she did, it wasn't difficult for the senior goalkeeper to make her future plans. Frederick has committed to play for Simpson College next year. "Playing soccer was the tough decision. Playing for Simpson was an easy decision," said Frederick. … [Read more...] about ‘I’ve got more soccer in me’: Ankeny goalkeeper Frederick to play for Simpson

Ankeny star Kooker named Miss Iowa Soccer for 2019

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When the Ankeny girls' soccer team captured the Class 3A state title earlier this month, it appeared to be the perfect way for senior defender Chloee Kooker to close out her illustrious high school career. Kooker was named to the all-tournament team for the second straight year after the Hawkettes won the fourth state championship in school history. She … [Read more...] about Ankeny star Kooker named Miss Iowa Soccer for 2019

GOAAAAAAAAL!!!! Ankeny girls claim crown on Adamson’s game-winner

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Saige Adamson never thought she'd score the game-winning goal in a state championship soccer game. As a defender, she always figured she'd be the one to stop the other team from scoring. On Saturday, Ankeny's senior captain managed to do both. While recording another clean sheet, Adamson also took advantage of a rare scoring opportunity in the box, … [Read more...] about GOAAAAAAAAL!!!! Ankeny girls claim crown on Adamson’s game-winner

Hawkettes flip their way back to title game, will play Waukee for 3A crown

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The Ankeny girls' soccer team is headed back to the Class 3A state championship game. And if there was any doubt, the Hawkettes are pretty flipping excited. After sixth-ranked Ankeny posted a 2-0 victory over No. 7 Dowling Catholic in the Class 3A semifinals on Friday at Cownie Soccer Complex, senior defender Chloee Kooker celebrated the win by doing a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes flip their way back to title game, will play Waukee for 3A crown

Brown’s gamble pays off: Hawkettes dominate 2nd half against Linn-Mar

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Ankeny girls' soccer coach Simon Brown noticed that Linn-Mar (Marion) wasn't substituting during the first half of Thursday's Class 3A quarterfinal at Cownie Soccer Complex. Brown started rotating in some of his own reserves, hoping that the third-ranked Lions would eventually run out of gas on an 87-degree afternoon. His gamble paid off in the second … [Read more...] about Brown’s gamble pays off: Hawkettes dominate 2nd half against Linn-Mar

Jaguars, Hawkettes gear up for rematches in Class 3A quarterfinals

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The girls' Class 3A state soccer tournament has a familiar look to it. All eight qualifiers are back from last year's tournament. Even more amazing, all four of Thursday's quarterfinal games are rematches from 2018. Fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial (15-3), the defending champion, will play No. 5 Council Bluffs Lincoln (16-2) at 4:15 p.m. on Field 8 at … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes gear up for rematches in Class 3A quarterfinals

Gretz, Sharar lead Hawkettes past C.R. Prairie, back to state tournament

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It was going to take a lot more than a little rain to stop the Ankeny girls' soccer team. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes took the lead less than a minute into the game and went on to defeat No. 10 Cedar Rapids Prairie, 4-0, in a Class 3A regional final on Monday at Ankeny. The game was played in a steady rain. "It's such an amazing feeling to be going back … [Read more...] about Gretz, Sharar lead Hawkettes past C.R. Prairie, back to state tournament

Hawkettes foil Mason City’s strategy, advance to Monday’s regional final

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The Ankeny girls' soccer team didn't have to play much defense against Mason City on Wednesday. The visiting Mohawks loaded the box in an effort to frustrate Ankeny, but the strategy only worked to keep the score down. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes got three goals in the first 10 minutes and went on to post a 5-0 victory in a Class 3A regional … [Read more...] about Hawkettes foil Mason City’s strategy, advance to Monday’s regional final

‘Best feeling in the world’: Sharar’s goal lifts Hawkettes past No. 2 Waukee

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Some wins are a little sweeter than others. That was the case on Monday for the sixth-ranked Ankeny girls' soccer team, which traveled to Waukee for its regular-season finale and posted a 1-0 victory over the No. 2 Warriors. Ankeny won the game with some of its key players on the bench. "We had to do without Chloee (Kooker) for most of the second … [Read more...] about ‘Best feeling in the world’: Sharar’s goal lifts Hawkettes past No. 2 Waukee

Ankeny girls pummel Huskies as seniors steal the spotlight

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All nine of the seniors on the Ankeny girls' soccer team started Tuesday's game against visiting Des Moines Hoover, including Malerie Rohweder. Rohweder suffered a knee injury last month and recently underwent season-ending surgery. "Tonight was all about the seniors," said Ankeny coach Simon Brown. "That was a special moment when the officials and … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls pummel Huskies as seniors steal the spotlight

Ankeny girls’ soccer team suffers costly 2-0 loss to Little Cyclones

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On Friday night, the Ankeny girls' soccer team looked like a state championship contender during a 5-1 victory at Johnston. Just 72 hours later, the Hawkettes looked like a completely different team. Fifth-ranked Ankeny followed up its best performance of the season with arguably its worst, dropping a 2-0 decision at No. 14 Ames in a rescheduled game. … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ soccer team suffers costly 2-0 loss to Little Cyclones