The #10 (1A) Dike-New Hartford girls soccer team took control from the kickoff for 9-0 win over Webster City in Class 1A Region 8 quarterfinal match on Wednesday, as aired on 99 The Wave.
The Wolverines sprinted out to a 3-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes, with a goal by Gentry Swarts and two goals by Payton Foster. The Wolverines continued to control time of possession for the remainder of the half, driving for three more goals. Foster completed a hat trick with her third score, Hanna Steffen and Rylee Reicks each netted a goal apiece to put the Wolverines up 6-0 at the half. DNH with strong ball movement put the match out of reach with three goals in the first 12 minutes of the second half. Swarts had her second goal of the night and a goal apiece by Lucy Varney and Ruby Varney to go up 9-0. DNH tried to end the match early with a mercy rule 10th goal but were held off by the Lynx. The DNH defense never allowed the Lynx to find a rhythm, standing for the shutout.
Seniors Hannah Steffen and Gentry Swarts on connection of the team and strides made in the midfield.
“It’s always great to move on, especially my senior year, it’s always fun. We put a lot of work into ball movement and we wanted to get a lot of girls with goals tonight, so it’s awesome to see that happen and connecting with the ball altogether,” says Steffen. “I think that we’ve really improved, especially through our midfield. We’ve realized that was a big deciding factor for us and what we really needed to improve on. We’ve worked really hard the past couple weeks in practice on our midfield and we’ve really worked on finding feet and connecting through the midfield. I think I’ve seen a major improvement there,” says Swarts.
Head Coach Emma Eden on the potential of the team as postseason run ramps up.
“I think all together our girls did a really nice job just locking it down on offense and defense and finding good connections. That off the ball movement was key to our success tonight. Finding open passing lanes and all in all the girls played fantastic tonight,” says Eden. “We have a lot of good potential. We have returners from last year that have seen it two times already and we have some new blood in our system that is wanting to feel that feeling too. I think we have the potential, we have the drive and just dedication to get there.”
This was the Wolverines sixth shutout win of the season.
DNH (11-5-1) will host Aplington-Parkersburg in a regional semifinal on Wednesday, May 28.
