Unlucky, injury-plagued Cardinals suffer two heartbreaking losses

Newton’s boys soccer team is due for some good luck eventually. The Cardinals have been injury-plagued all season and their most recent losses came in overtime.

The latest defeat was against Little Hawkeye Conference rival Norwalk and the Warriors ended the match almost two minutes into overtime following a goal in the 82nd minute by Izek Dingman.

The 1-0 loss at H.A. Lynn Stadium was Newton’s fourth one-goal defeat this season.

“In my time here, we have been blown out in the important games,” Newton boys soccer coach Zach Jensen said. “That’s not happening this year. We’ve been in every game. That’s one thing I am really proud of.”

Newton came into Tuesday’s game with Norwalk receiving votes in the latest Class 2A poll. The Warriors are receiving votes in 3A.

And neither team grabbed much of an advantage throughout the entire contest. Newton held a 10-9 advantage in shots and had a 5-1 surplus in corner kicks.

The Cardinals fell to 4-6 overall and 1-3 in conference play. The six losses have come by a total of eight goals. They’ve suffered three 2-1 defeats this spring.

“I would say we are the best 4-6 team in the state. I can say that,” Jensen said. “We could have won every game we’ve lost. We are just not getting the bounces to go our way.”

Caleb Lawson allowed just the one goal and collected eight saves in the loss. Norwalk improved to 5-6 overall and 1-3 in the conference.

Hunter Kennedy was cleared that day to return from an eye injury after missing the previous game. He didn’t start, entered the game in the 13th minute and is required to wear goggles while on the field.

Josh Meyer re-injured his foot in practice recently and is back in a boot and Derek Lanser also missed the contest with a shoulder injury. Jensen said Lanser is likely out for the rest of the season.

“We are banged up and have guys who are almost playing the entire way,” Jensen said.

Knoxville 2, Newton 1

KNOXVILLE — The Panthers secured a win over Newton in the final 2 seconds of double overtime as Knoxville defeated the Cardinals 2-1 at home during a non-conference match on Monday.

The game ended in the 99th minute to avoid a shootout.

“It was a scramble in the middle. It was just a bomb. He hit it and went straight down the middle,” Jensen said. “He beat our guy with one step and it went over Caleb’s head and into the back of the net.”

Darara Dawassa scored Newton’s goal on a penalty kick in the first half. It was the only shot Dawassa took in the match.

The Cardinals held a 15-6 advantage in shots. Lawson had four saves.

Colby Sandholt took five of Knoxville’s six shots and scored one of the Panthers’ two goals. Knoxville improved to 6-4 on the season.

The match was even at 1-all at halftime, but Jensen said the Cardinals’ played their worst half of the season.

“We played a much better second half but just weren’t up to par. We battled in the second half,” Jensen said. “It was a heartbreaker down there. We felt like we had the players to do it but just couldn’t find the back of the net.”