Kennedy topples another one

DES MOINES - Carly Langhurst and Cedar Rapids Kennedy just might be on one of those memorable state tournament rides.

Three days removed from sending the team to state by upending top-ranked Linn-Mar with her first goal of the season, Langhurst's header off an Annie Feltes corner kick two minutes into the second half sparked the Cougars to a 3-1 victory over second-ranked Bettendorf in a Class 3A quarterfinal Thursday at Cownie Soccer Park.

'I just had a good opportunity backside,” Langhurst said. 'It was a great cross again by Annie. I just got up on the corner and happened to be there.”

The score broke a scoreless tie and stunned Bettendorf, which had shut out seven of its last eight opponents. Before the Bulldogs could regroup, Kennedy struck a minute later when senior Kaela Dickerman fielded a crisp pass from Melette Devore, sidestepped a defender just outside the goal box, and punched her 10th goal of the season past shaken Bettendorf goalkeeper Mariah Kennedy for a 2-0 Kennedy lead.

'I just made the run in, (and) I was surprised that I got such a great touch,” Dickerman said. 'Normally, with that kind of opportunity I would just go in, and I'd probably just shank the ball. I just kept my composure, got a little touch around the keeper, and put it in the net.”

Sophomore Alissa Waterhouse notched her first goal of the season 10 minutes later to put the Cougars up 3-0. A Miranda Holle goal, her 23rd this season, helped Bettendorf (17-3) avoid the shutout with about 10 minutes left.

It was a fantastic performance from the Kennedy back wall of defenders, led by senior Jordan Holmes. The Cougars frustrated a potent Bettendorf offense, which won its two regional games by a combined score of 19-0.

'The way we play is, we try to put as much pressure as we can,” Kennedy Coach Scott Myers said. 'We run as many people at them as we can, and I think we've got the kids to do it. I think that's the key.”

After an up-and-down regular season for unranked Kennedy (14-6) - which was ranked No. 2 in the preseason but closed with three straight defeats - the Cougars finally have a healthy Langhurst, who missed a month of the season with injuries. She's proven to be the catalyst of consecutive win-or-go-home games over the top two teams in the state, and to hear the Cougars call it the ride isn't over yet.

'Hopefully all the way,” Langhurst said. 'I think we can do it.”

In the semifinals, Kennedy faces No. 6 Waukee today at 5 p.m.

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