No. 8 Pella downs Newton boys on home pitch

PELLA — Newton’s boys soccer team had plenty of chances in the first 15 minutes of each half on Tuesday night against Pella.

But like in so many other matches this season, the Cardinals failed to convert the chances into goals and lost to the Class 2A No. 8 Dutch, 2-0, on the road during Little Hawkeye Conference play.

“It was another story of out-possessing and outplaying an opponent but losing because we just can’t find the back of the net,” Newton boys soccer coach Zach Jensen said. “If you don’t do that, you can’t win. We’ll keep working on it.”

Jensen said his Cardinals could have easily led 2-0 after 15 minutes and had more opportunities to score in the first 10-15 minutes of the second half. But they just couldn’t finish in the final third of the field.

“I am proud of how we played,” Jensen said. “We play the right way. We just can’t figure out the final third.”

The Cardinals (4-4 overall, 1-2 in conference play) have battled injuries all season and lost another key player during the match.

Hunter Kennedy, who ranks second on the team in points, suffered an injury in the second half and was rushed to the hospital. Jensen didn’t have an update later that night.

The Dutch (7-2, 3-0) led 1-0 at halftime and added anther goal in the second half.