March 29, 2024

Cards’ conference title hopes dashed by Dutch

In its previous 12 games, the Newton girls soccer team outscored its opponents by a talley of 54-5. On Thursday night, however, Class 2A No. 6 2A Pella outscored the No. 11 Cardinals (11-2) on their home turf by a score of 4-1 to claim the Little Hawkeye Conference title.

Pella dominated possession from the beginning, striking early with goals in the first half for a 2-0 lead heading into halftime. After a series of close misses in the second half, senior Kaylie Rhoads finally connected for the Cardinals, bringing Newton within one as the scores moved to 2-1. It took Pella less than a minute to strike back, as the Dutch launched a shot from outside the goal box into the corner of the net past Newton keeper (name) to bring the score to 3-1.

An unfortunate own goal off a header with just more than 10 minutes left in the contest sealed Newton’s fate as Pella claimed the conference title for the second consecutive year.