Newton girls lose LHC game in shootout with Pella

PELLA — For 100 minutes — that is 20 extra minutes of playing time — Newton’s Cardinal girls and Pella’s Lady Dutch were even Tuesday night. In a match-up of Class 2A ranked teams, the Little Hawkeye Conference game went to a shootout.

Pella hit three of its five penalty kicks in the shootout. Newton got two — one by Hannah Rhoads and one by Taylor Shipley. The Lady Dutch won the game, 3-2.

“Pella was the most physical team we have played this year and instead of backing down, we responded with our passing and the runs we made,” said Newton head coach Cathy Reiter. “The girls played really well, and I was so proud of them.”

Newton and Pella were locked at 2-all at the end of regulation. Neither team could get a goal in the two 10-minute overtime sessions.

Newton, ranked No. 10, broke a scoreless tie three minutes into the second half on an unassisted goal by Amber Karsten. Ninth-ranked Pella responded with two goals.

With four minutes remaining in the game, Karsten made a pass to Ryanne Rausch, who scored to tie the game. Emily Forsyth made 15 saves, including one in the shootout, for the Cardinals.

Newton is 10-3 overall and 4-2 in LHC action. The Cardinals host Boone Friday in a non-conference game. They finish up the regular season at home next Tuesday against Little Hawkeye Conference opponent, Norwalk.