Newton boys fall to No. 11 DCG

GRIMES — Newton High’s Josh Ventling scored the first goal of the game off a direct kick. The Cardinals’ 1-0 lead over host Dallas Center-Grimes did not hold up long in Monday’s Little Hawkeye Conference contest.

The Class 2A 11th-ranked Mustangs tied the game a minute later with 21 minutes left in the first half. The Mustangs (4-3) added two more goals at the end of the first half.

There was no scoring in the second half. Newton lost 3-1 to DCG.

“Tonight’s match was hard because we were not mentally and physically ready for the game in the first half,” Newton head coach Sackda Viravong said.

“It is very difficult to play a Monday night game without spending any time on the training ground over the weekend,” Viravong said.

Reagan Maple was in goal for the Cardinals and was credited with six saves. The Mustang goals came from Sam Glasgow, Brody Kleen and Alex Thompson.

Newton put nine shots on goal and had one corner kick opportunity. DCG goalie Zach Thompson had six saves.

“We played better soccer in the second half and didn’t allow them any easy shots on our goal,” Viravong said. “But we couldn’t finish scoring opportunities and that was the game.”

Newton (5-3) falls to 0-2 in LHC play. The Cardinals have a 7 p.m. game Tuesday at home against Marshalltown.

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