March 28, 2024

Indianola takes second win over Panthers

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Perhaps Creston’s strongest senior class ever — with all 11 introduced with their parents prior to the match — saw Indianola steal the show in a 2-0 victory over the Panthers at the north soccer field here Tuesday.

Indianola is just 2-8, with the only victories coming against Creston, including a shootout tiebreaker in the Winterset Tournament. This time, the Indians had a 12-8 advantage in shots on goal, after getting no shots in the earlier match that ended 0-0 in regulation. The Indians were coming off a 7-0 loss to Southeast Polk.

“They are not having a great season, but they are in 3A, and the competition is fierce,” Creston coach Jesus Rodriguez said. “If we were playing 3A teams, it would be tough to get a winning record.”

Creston fell to 6-5 overall heading into Saturday’s home tournament, facing Clarinda Academy in the 9 a.m. opener. Centerville plays Riverside of Oakland in the other boys first-round match.

“We haven’t been playing the way we normally do,” Rodriguez said. “I told the boys, the playoffs are getting closer and closer. We have to get going. Games like this, we have to put away when we have the opportunity.”

The Panther coach said the Indians played solid defense in the final third of the field, but there were ample scoring opportunities.

“In the first half we had opportunities, and in the first 10 minutes of the second half, we had three one-on-one situations with the goalie,” Rodriguez said. “We missed them all. If we put those in, it’s a totally different game. Up 3-1, we could control the game in a totally different manner. We have to keep working.”

Two of the seniors who are part of the normal defensive rotation — Kyle Jennett and Brant Hudson — were hampered by injuries. Jennett got the senior day start and then left soon after with a hip ailment. Hudson only saw part-time duty, sore from being kicked recently in the Achilles tendon area.

“We’re not as strong on the outside without those guys,” Rodriguez said. “But we wouldn’t be in that predicament if we had finished our opportunities.”

Indianola first scored with 16 minutes left in the first half, after defender Chase Shiltz was assessed one of three yellow cards, keeping those Panthers out of action for 10 minutes each.

“They said we elbowed in the box and they got a free kick,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t think it was an elbow, it was a shoulder but at the kid’s height it looked like it. The guy crossed it in. Jake (Miller) tried to trap it in the box, but their guy just laid it off to the guy in front of him and he knocked it past Alex.”

Both Alex Nielsen for the Panthers and Asa Hatten for Indianola had some spectacular saves, including a leaping flick of the ball above the crossbar late by Nielsen. Hatten had two quick dives for stretched-out saves against Panther shots.

But the Indians were able to get on the board again eight minutes into the second half.

“It was after a throw-in,” Rodriguez said. “Their guy beat two of our guys with his speed and touch and was able to knock it in.”

The 11 Panthers honored with their parents before the match were Nielsen, McClain Haines, Connor Kinkade, all-time leading scorer Conner Pals, Tayler Pettit, Alex Tamerius, Garret Geary, Jake Miller, Kaleb Cook, Hudson and Jennett.

KCCI-TV sports director Andy Garman and a KCCI video operator were at the match, after Garman met with Pettit earlier in the day for an update on his condition after a near-fatal heart ailment suffered at Wells Fargo Arena during the State Dual Wrestling Tournament. The segment will air on today’s 10 p.m. newscast.

In JV action Tuesday, Creston sailed to a 4-0 victory. Kinkade scored two goals on assists by Tyler Helm and Patrick Normandeau. Travontay Wright scored on an assist by Helm, and Kelby Luther added the final tally on an assist by Brad Boyer. Goalkeeper Quinton Scadden had a save.

Kinkade finished with three shots on goal and Normandeau had two.

Indianola 2, Creston 0

Creston (0) — Shots (on goal) — 14 (8 on goal). Individual shots (on goal)— Seth Pals 5 (5 on goal), McClain Haines 3 (2 on goal), Ben Irr 2, Tayler Pettit 1 (1 on goal), Kaleb Cook 1, Evan Jacobson 1, Luke Stilwell 1. Keeper saves — Alex Nielsen 6. Cards — Irr (Y), Pettit (Y), Chase Shiltz (Y).

Indianola (2) — Caleb Miller 16:00 first half; Hunter Hoffman, 32:00 second half. Shots on goal — 12. Saves — Asa Hatton 12. Cards — Kosta Hidri (Y).