Late first-half goals too much for Newton boys to overcome in loss to Indians

INDIANOLA — Newton head boys soccer coach Zach Jensen would have felt great about a 1-0 deficit at halftime against Indianola on Tuesday night.

But the Indians had other plans as the hosts scored twice in the 40th minute and those two goals gave Indianola all the momentum it needed during a 7-0 victory in Little Hawkeye Conference play.

“Those two goals late in the first half dug us too big of a hole to get out of,” Jensen said. “A lot of the goals being scored against us are simple mistakes we can’t figure out. We are not mentally focused and are struggling on the mental part of the game.”

Jacob Chickering led the Indians (2-3, 1-0 in the LHC) with one goal and three assists and Van Kauffman added one goal and one assist.

Javin Doland made 13 saves for the Cardinals (1-4-2) and now has 85 on the season, which ranks third in the state and second in Class 3A.

Indianola out-shot Newton 40-10 and had a 13-5 advantage in shots on goal.

The Indians’ two goals in the final minute of the first half came 40 seconds a part.

Indianola’s head coach is Heath Weeks, who was Jensen’s head coach during his prep days at Johnston.

“I coached under him for five years, too,” Jensen said. “When he told me he was taking over that program, I knew they’d be good at some point. Indianola used to be the worst team in our league, but I think they’ll challenge for the conference title this spring. I respect coach Weeks a ton.”