Top-ranked Norwalk’s Warriors shut out host Newton High’s Cardinals, 6-0, Tuesday at H.A. Lynn Stadium. It was the first time this soccer season the Cardinal boys have not scored a goal.
The loss came in Little Hawkeye Conference action for the Cardinals, who finish at 2-4 in conference play. Norwalk, which is No. 1 in Class 2A rankings, goes undefeated, 6-0, in LHC play.
Newton (8-9) closes out the regular season at home Friday against Nevada.
On May 26, the Cardinals host a first-round Class 2A Substate 7 tournament game. Newton plays Prairie City-Monroe’s Mustangs at 4:30 p.m. at H.A. Lynn Stadium. The winner plays at Knoxville May 28 in a semifinal.
On the other side of the substate bracket, Winterset plays at Carlisle Tuesday. The winner plays at Norwalk on May 28. The substate championship game is at noon May 30 at Norwalk.
Sam Steenhoek had a hat trick for the Warriors. Steenhoek’s three goals came in the first half. He scored at the 37:24 mark then found the net again five minutes later. Kason Crall and Steenhoek had two quick goals within a minute to push Norwalk’s lead to 4-0.
That’s where it stood at halftime.
“We got knocked out in the first 15 minutes tonight. We allowed four quick goals without putting up a fight,” said Sackda Viravong, Newton head coach. “Sometimes when things go wrong, or if you are not up to the task, it is tough to recover mentally and physically.”
Viravong said the Cardinals were not ready to play soccer in the first half. He said they made a formation adjustment on the fly to help stop Norwalk from scoring the rest of the first half.
“The second half was a little better. We battled well in the midfield and almost scored a few times,” Viravong said.
Michael Riordan scored twice in the second half. The Warriors had 17 shots on goal. The Warrior goalkeeper Jake Potratz was credited with five saves.
“Our kids did the best they could under tough circumstances. You have to give our opposition credit — they are the Class 2A defending state champions for a reason,” Viravong said.
Newton had five shots on goal and five corner kicks in the game. Grand Davidson made nine saves in goal for the Cardinals.
Newton’s junior varsity finished in a 2-2 tie with Norwalk.
Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com