March 29, 2024

Newton girls soccer bounces back against Bobcats

Cardinals record first shutout of spring

MARSHALLTOWN — It took a little while for Newton’s girls soccer team to crack the scoreboard against Marshalltown on Friday night.

But when the Cardinals got the first one to go, a few others quickly followed.

Audrey Rausch put visiting Newton in front 1-0 late in the first half and the Cardinals scored two second-half goals during a 3-0 win at Leonard Cole Field.

It was a good bounce-back performance from Newton, which lost its first match of the season the day before against Ballard.

“The girls played exceptionally well,” Newton girls soccer coach Abby Lamont said. “The ball stayed on our offensive third for the majority of the game.”

Lamont and assistant coach Susan Altemeier tweaked things a bit going into the match. That allowed the defensive back line of Madison Altemeier, Nycole Hernandez, Riley Davidson and Emma Lopez-Garcia to be incredibly dominant, according to Lamont.

Aurora Nehring had a pair of saves in goal for the Cardinals.

“The girls just ran with the changes,” Lamont said. “We had outstanding coverage in the middle, which allowed for our transition throughout.”

Rausch’s goal with less than 4 minutes remaining in the first half proved to be the game-winner. It was her team-best third goal of the spring.

Marin Pettigrew finished off a counter attack early in the second half to make it 2-0 and Brynn Cazett scored her second goal of the season with around 20 minutes to play.

Cazett’s goal was a floater from distance that looped over the Bobcat goalie’s head.

“The girls were happy with their play,” Lamont said. “We’ll keep working to improve our shot quality.”

Newton improved to 2-1 after its first shutout of the year. Marshalltown dropped to 0-2.