Cardinal boys roll past Oskaloosa

OSKALOOSA — Three was a big number for Newton High’s Cardinal boys on the soccer field Tuesday against host Oskaloosa Indians in Little Hawkeye Conference play.

The Cardinals held a 3-0 lead at halftime on their way to an 8-2 win over the Indians.

Seniors Duncan Lee and Nick Rusk had hat tricks — scoring three goals each in the game. Junior Josh Ventling was credited with three assists.

“It was a good night for us, especially scoring goals,” Newton head coach Sackda Viravong said. “We finished scoring opportunities well, and were in control of the game. We moved the balls all over field and dictated everything on the pitch.”

In the first half, Rusk turned a pass from Ventling into the first goal of the contest at the 34:10 mark. He followed with a second goal three minutes later. Sophomore Zach Combs found the net for Newton on an assist from Lee with 15:03 left before the break.

“The defense didn’t allow any shots on goal in the first half,” Viravong said.

The Indians got a goal past Newton senior goalkeeper Griffin Engel at the 35:38 mark of the second half. Engel had one save in 70 minutes of action in goal for the Cardinals as the Indians only had three shots on goal in the contest.

Rusk had his second unassisted goal of the game with 27:23 on the second-half clock to put Newton up 4-1. Ventling set up Lee for his first goal of the night three minutes later.

The Cardinals’ lead went to 6-1 when junior Justin Fischer scored at the 18:38 mark. It was Ventling to Lee for a goal with 16:46 left in the game.

Oskaloosa scored its second goal at the 5:59 mark, getting it past junior goalkeeper Reagan Maple. Sophomore Brad Portner passed the ball to Lee for a Newton goal with 2:41 remaining in the game for the final margin.

“We need to keep this momentum going into next week against Pella,” Viravong said.

Newton improved to 8-4 overall and 2-2 in Little Hawkeye Conference play. The Cardinals play a 7 p.m. Little Hawkeye Conference game Tuesday against Pella at Newton’s H.A. Lynn Stadium.

Newton’s junior varsity beat Oskaloosa 1-0 Tuesday on a Chase Dysktra goal.

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