Ross scores twice, Newton girls shut out Hoover to advance

Aliviah Ross scored at least two goals in a match for the third time this season and the Newton girls soccer team posted its seventh shutout of the season on Friday.

The Cardinals grabbed a small lead at halftime before pulling away with two goals in the final 40 minutes during a 3-0 home win over Des Moines Hoover in a Class 2A Region 5 matchup.

Ross scored twice at H.A. Lynn Stadium and now has a team-best 12 for the season. Merissa Schiebel added one goal in the win, and Natalee Freese made four saves.

The goal from Schiebel was the second of her career and Payton Carkhuff had the lone assist.

The Cardinals (9-8) took 15 shots and placed 11 of them on goal. The victory snapped a four-game skid. It was the team’s first 3-0 shutout this season.

Newton advances to play 2A No. 5 Pella in the regional semifinals at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Pella. The Lady Dutch defeated the Cardinals 7-0 earlier this season. Des Moines Hoover retires at 6-9.