Jefferson no match for No. 2 Kennedy in 7-0 rout

CEDAR RAPIDS — Senior Kasey Dekko insisted that her team just had to have more fun in the second half and it would play better.

Second-ranked Kennedy must have had tons of fun as it scored five second-half goals en route to a 7-0 victory over Jefferson on Tuesday at Coe's Clark Field.

Kennedy improved to 9-0 in the MVC and 11-0 overall.

The Cougars are one of only two 3A girls' teams that are undefeated.

'I feel like in the first half we came out with not the greatest attitude,' sophomore Kenadee Dekko said. 'In the second half, we definitely came out with a better attitude toward the game.'

Given Kennedy's defensive prowess — the Cougars have given up only two goals in eight MVC games and three in 10 total games — the suspense likely left the building when the Cougars scored in the 17th minute off a corner from Kenadee Dekko.

'Our defense is very good; we trust them with everything,' Kasey said.

Kenadee Dekko's corner skittered low and somehow made its way into the net.

'I think that I kind of bent it and it curved into the net,' Kenadee said.

'I think someone on the other team might have hit it,' Kasey said.

Up to that point and for most of the first half, Jefferson goalie Victoria Roether had done a terrific job of keeping the Cougars at bay. But in the 35th minute, she was faced with a Sophie's Choice with two oncoming attackers. She came way out of the goal and blocked a shot by one but left the goal open for Emily Sass to nudge the ball in.

BOYS: Jefferson ends long losing streak against Kennedy

Kennedy bumped the lead to 3-0 67 seconds into the second half, as Kasey Dekko got a clear shot from about 15 yards out front.

'We were more positive toward each other,' Kasey said. 'If we get down on each other, it makes it hard for us to play well. We play better when we're having fun.'

The flood gates opened as Kennedy's numbers overwhelmed the J-Hawks. Seniors Anna Frerichs, Morgan Petsche, Alissa Waterhouse and Sydney Hayden added goals.