April 20, 2024

Cardinal girls power past Des Moines North Polar Bears

By Jocelyn Sheets

On its way — Macy Leonard, middle, kicks the ball and netted a goal for Newton High’s Cardinals Thursday in a 10-0 victory over visiting Des Moines North at H.A. Lynn Stadium. Leonard was one of six Newton players to score goals, all in the first half. The game was halted by rule at halftime. (Jocelyn Sheets)

Newton High’s Cardinal girls overpowered visiting Des Moines North’s Polar Bears Thursday in a non-conference soccer match.

The Class 2A 13th-ranked Cardinals made an early night of it, scoring 10 goals in the first half evoking the 10-goal margin rule. With a goal by Victoria Jordan with 58 seconds remaining in the first half, the Cardinals were up 10-0. The game was called at the break.

“We played well. We took good intentional shots, but we can improve on finishing shots,” said Abby Lamont, Newton head coach. “North crowded the box and we had shots deflected.”

Newton put 40 shots on goal in 40 minutes of play. Addy Blom was in goal for the Cardinals and did not have any work to do as her teammates kept the ball on North’s side of the mid-field stripe most of the first half.

Ryanne Rausch led the charge for Newton, scoring the first of her four goals at the 34:05 mark. Taylor Moon booted the second goal in three minutes later.

Macy Leonard delivered a well-placed ball in the air in front of the net for Rausch to head in with 27:14 on the clock. Rausch took a pass from Hannah Rhoads and used her body to deliver a third goal.

Leonard found the net on a long kick to make it 5-0 with 22:22 on the clock. Rausch’s fourth goal came two minutes later to push her state-leading total to 24 goals on the season.

“We had a little fun and changed up some positions for the girls,” Lamont said.

Rylie Udelhoven, who is one of the team’s top defenders, played as a forward with Newton leading 6-0. She quickly made it 8-0. Udelhoven scored back-to-back goals — the second one on a header off a pass in the air by Kaytlin Ahn, in a span of 45 seconds.

Morgan Allen scored at the 17:55 mark, then Jordan’s goal came just before halftime.

Rhoads and Ahn each were credited with two assists on goals. Anna Forsyth, Rausch, Leonard and Moon each had one assist.

“We have to come back ready to play tomorrow night. Perry will be tougher competition,” Lamont said.

The Cardinals (7-2) host Perry Friday. The junior varsity game is at 5:30 p.m. followed by the varsity game at 7 p.m. at H.A. Lynn Stadium.

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