State-ranked Indianola downs Newton boys in substate semifinals

INDIANOLA — A slow start plagued the Newton boys soccer team during the Class 3A Substate 7 semifinals on Tuesday.

The 3A No. 6 Indians led 7-0 at halftime before advancing to the substate championship match following a 9-0 road win.

“I thought we’d be more competitive,” Newton head boys soccer coach Zach Jensen said. “I thought we had a good game plan, but we got down 2-0 in like two minutes.”

Indianola went 2-0 against Newton this season. It outscored the Cardinals 16-0 in those two matches.

Newton (6-11-2) ended the season with nine shutout losses.

“We simply weren’t good enough this season,” Jensen said. “The inexperience showed. We don’t have guys who play enough soccer either.

“We have to get better soccer IQs, play more soccer outside of the season and watch more professional soccer.”

The Cardinals had a 28-11 disadvantage in shots and Indianola had 16-7 surplus in shots on goal. Javin Doland made nine saves for the Cardinals.

Allan Martinez led the Indians with three goals and one assist and Jacob Chickering added one goal and three assists.

Indianola (12-6-1) defeated Denison-Schleswig, 3-1, in the substate championship match on Thursday.

Dallas Center-Grimes and Norwalk will join Indianola in the 3A state tournament, while Pella and Pella Christian both lost 2-1 in their substate championship games.