Colfax-Mingo girls pass biggest test yet, rally past Van Meter

COLFAX — Lily Anderson just wanted to be available near the goal if Meadow Lane needed her.

That’s what she was thinking before she put a shot past Van Meter goalie Josie Bemis in the 61st minute of Friday’s matchup against the Bulldogs.

Lane attracts quite the defensive crowd when she has the ball and sometimes the best play is to pass it an open teammate.

Anderson was ready and able to extend the Tigerhawks’ advantage to two goals and Colfax-Mingo’s girls soccer team went on to defeat Van Meter, 5-2, at Tigerhawk Stadium.

“You always want to be ready for the cross pass,” Anderson said. “It looked like Meadow was getting hammered by multiple girls so I just tried to be open for an opportunity if it was there.”

Lane continued her hot start to the season with three goals and two assists in Colfax-Mingo’s toughest test yet.

The Tigerhawks also faced their first deficit of the season when Mady Schnell scored in the 10th minute to put Van Meter in front 1-0.

A slow start by Lane didn’t deter the standout freshmen as her first goal of the contest came in the 36th minute and tied the match at 1-all.

Lane dribbled past and through multiple defenders all night. She managed to get enough on the ball that it went through a diving Bemis and snuck just inside the left post.

Lane put the Tigerhawks in front for the first time when she made it 2-1 in the 42nd minute. She now has 18 goals and 39 points this season, which ranks second and third in the state, respectively.

“My sister Bianca (Lane) helps me a lot,” Meadow Lane said. “I missed some shots early that I normally get, but I just kept shooting and eventually they went in.”

Colfax-Mingo head girls soccer coach Zach Tomas said the key to the match was weathering an early barrage from Van Meter.

The Bulldogs have been super aggressive at the beginning of their matches this season. Once it got to halftime tied at 1-all, Tomas knew his girls were up to the challenge.

“We knew we’d know more about where we were at after tonight,” Tomas said. “That’s a well-coached team that has a lot of speed and is physical.

“I think we started to settle in at the end of the first half. Our conversation at halftime was that we can play with these guys. We weathered the storm, and it was time to play our game. I’m proud of them. I won’t take the credit. This is a good group of girls.”

While Lane came into the match with 15 goals, Van Meter’s Schnell entered with 10. She scored her 12th goal when she put a shot past Colfax-Mingo keeper Emmalyn Buchman that tied the match at 2-all in the 44th minute.

Then Anderson scored back-to-back goals to put Colfax-Mingo (4-0) in front for good.

Lane again dribbled through multiple defenders and withstood some contact before dumping it to Anderson in front of the net for a 3-2 lead.

Anderson’s second goal of the game also was assisted by Lane and came after a beautifully placed corner kick by Victoria Woods, who added one assist in the victory.

“I just tried to get that one in there,” Anderson said. “I saw and I went after it.”

Anderson is playing soccer for the first time in three years but also is dual sporting with track and field this spring. She doesn’t mind coming off the bench in soccer because it allows her to see what she’s up against when she does enter the pitch.

“It’s very nice to be able watch the match early to know how I need to play,” Anderson said. “I love it. These are awesome girls. I haven’t played in three years. It’s hard doing two sports, but I would not change anything.”

Lane finished off the victory with a penalty kick in the 73rd minute. Colfax-Mingo was awarded the PK after Lily Webster was fouled in the box.

“Her and her sister play off each other so well,” Tomas said about Bianca and Meadow Lane. “Any time those two have the ball, be ready because they will make a good decision and find the open player. They give it to you in a good spot and they both have that ability to take over and that’s a calming feeling for the rest of the girls.

“We wanted to feed Bianca in the middle. When we did that, good things happened.”

Colfax-Mingo out-shot Van Meter 13-11 and had an 8-6 surplus in shots on goal. Buchman finished with four saves for the Tigerhawks.

Notes: Colfax-Mingo has made a case to be ranked in Class 1A. The Tigerhawks are outscoring their opponents 29-2 in their first four matches. They defeated Albia 10-0, while 1A No. 15 Pella Christian edged the Lady Dees, 2-1. Van Meter’s other loss came against 1A No. 4 Des Moines Christian, but the Lions won 3-0. … While Colfax-Mingo is undefeated, Tomas said his squad needs to learn to handle other team’s speed up front and seeks a consistent second option to go with Meadow Lane. “I’m really happy with where we’re at. It’s been fun so far,” Meadow Lane said. “I want to be ranked. And I’m trying to be the top scorer in the state. That’s one of my goals. We also want to be successful as a team. We want to win. We hate losing.” … Anderson now ranks second on the team with four goals and is tied for second with Bianca Lane with eight points. “That’s two games now that she’s had two goals in,” Tomas said about Anderson. “She has a knack for being in the right spot and always gives everything she has.”

Colfax-Mingo 10, Albia 0

ALBIA — Meadow Lane scored five goals, Woods and Bianca Lane both put in two and Colfax-Mingo broke open a close match at halftime with a big second half during a 10-0 win over Albia on Tuesday.

The Tigerhawks led 2-0 at halftime but scored eight goals in the second half to remain undefeated.

Woods and Bianca Lane both had two goals and one assist in the win, while Lilyan Hadsall had one goal and Webster dished out two assists.

Colfax-Mingo put 20 of its 30 shots on goal and Buchman made two saves.

Bianca Lane has four assists this spring, which ranks tied for sixth in 1A. Webster pushed her season assist total to three.

Albia (2-3) haș lost three straight matches after winning its season opener.

Colfax-Mingo 10, Clarke 0

COLFAX — The Tigerhawks used a fast start to down Clarke in their home opener on Monday.

Meadow Lane scored a career-best six goals, Anderson posted the first two goals of her prep career and Bianca Lane delivered two assists during the team’s 10-0 win over the Indians.

Hadsall and Webster each added one goal and Woods and Karmylia Snyder dished out one assist apiece. It was the first career assist for Snyder.

Colfax-Mingo put 19 of its 31 shots on goal. Clarke (0-3) has been outscored 17-0 this spring.