March 28, 2024

Cardinal girls shut out Lions

Posting their third straight shutout, Newton High’s girls defeated visiting Des Moines Christian 3-0 Tuesday at H.A. Lynn Stadium. The Cardinal girls’ soccer team improved to 4-1.

The Class 2A 11th-ranked Cardinals scored three times in the first half. They had 36 shots on goal putting the pressure on the Lions’ freshman goalkeeper Aspen Brockhouse throughout the game. Brockhouse was a brickhouse in the second half.

“Their goal keeper did play very well, especially in the second half. They bunched up in the box so we had a hard time shooting,” said Abby Lamont, Newton head coach. “We had a lot of shots, but I don’t know if we could hit the cross bar more than we did tonight.”

Newton’s top goal scorer Ryanne Rausch put up her 12th goal of the season to break open a scoreless game with 24 minutes, 46 seconds remaining in the first half. Taylor Shipley put a crossing pass up in the air and Rausch headed the ball into the net.

“I was just trying to cross it over from Ryanne. I knew she was going to be there to finish it. I was dribbling down the sideline and chipped it up for her,” Shipley said of her assist.

Hannah Rhoads ripped a long kick over everyone to the back of the net at the 11:10 mark of the first half. Newton was up 2-0, the Shipley got behind Brockhouse on a shot by a Newton teammate.

“We always have to be ready if the goalie just tips the ball instead of grabbing it. I was right there in front of the goal to finish when the ball got past her,” Shipley said.

Shipley’s unassisted chip-shot goal came with 23 seconds left on the first-half clock. The teams played almost 99-percent of the second half right in front of Brockhouse, who made several nice saves against the Cardinals.

Newton sophomore goalkeeper Ashley Freese wasn’t challenged and didn’t have a save in the game. Lamont pointed to the way the Cardinal players controlled the ball, keeping it — for the most part — on Des Moines Christian’s side of the field.

“We are definitely connecting right now,” senior defender Rylie Udelhoven said. “Our midfielders are getting out wide really well, which gives us good opportunities to pass the ball and control things.”

Udelhoven is back on the field for the Cardinals this season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the second game last year.

“It feels so good to being back out here and playing. It’s great not having any more pain,” Udelhoven said.

Lamont said the Cardinals played at a slower tempo Tuesday than they did on Saturday.

“We passed the ball really well tonight. I don’t know if the girls slowed the pace to improve their passing or what, but I can’t complain,” Lamont said. “We still need to work on finishing our offensive opportunities.

“We played a very good game in preparation for our tournament Saturday.”

Newton (4-1) hosts Prairie City-Monroe, Perry and Des Moines Lincoln Saturday at H.A. Lynn Stadium. The Cardinals play PCM at 10 a.m. followed by Perry taking on Lincoln. The consolation game is at 1 p.m. and the championship game at 3:30 p.m.

Newton’s junior varsity defeated Des Moines Christian 2-1 Tuesday. Madison Mann scored in the first half as the teams were tied 1-all at the break. Carter Lee booted in the game-winner in the second half.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com