The Newton boys soccer team lost the first of three home games this week on Monday, losing to Knoxville 2-0. Both teams were scoreless in the first half. With 11 minutes left in the game, the Panthers got a goal from 35-yards out. Knoxville’s other goal came just 5:34 later on a penalty kick. The Cardinals were held scoreless for the eighth time this season, and are now 2-10. Head coach Zach Jensen says youth and strong competition are a big part of that record.
“It’s tough when you are playing schools that have a lot of players with soccer IQ experience. Guys that are club soccer players who play year round. We have a lot of guys where soccer is their second or third sport.”
Two years ago, sixteen seniors graduated from the Newton boys soccer team, and coach Jensen says he lost a couple of more players from last year who moved out of the district. The Cardinals are back in action tonight, hosting Dallas Center-Grimes at 7:30 p.m.
