DCG soccer preview: Girls look for three-peat, boys look to continue conference success

After the track teams got the action started earlier this month, Dallas Center-Grimes’ soccer teams are next up, starting their games next week.

Girls

How hard is it to win three state titles in a row? DCG is about to find out.

After closing out the season on a 10-game win streak, the Mustangs took home their second straight Class 2A crown, beating Waverly-Shell Rock at Cownie Park for the second time. But with the Go-Hawks leaving behind the core of its team while DCG brings back its nuclear group, there might be a new team looking to stop the emerging dynasty in Dallas Center.

The first-ever student-athlete to earn all-American honors at DCG, senior midfielder Kylie Knief is back after leading the team with 28 goals and 11 assists as a junior — her second year in a row crossing double digits in both categories.

DCG has to go to No. 5 on the scoring list before finding a teammate that is absent from this year’s roster, as third-team all-state Olivia Cyr (25 goals), Landry Glasgow (11) and Ella Forsyth (11) are all back for more. And of the top 10 scorers for DCG last season, only all-state defender Elena Bartak graduated.

With steady legs, Cyr and Glasgow were the team’s most efficient scorers, each hitting on more than 60 percent of their attempts.

But as far as efficiency ratings are concerned, it’s DCG’s defense that remains a core tenant of the team. All-state goalkeeper Maya Fritz allowed just eight goals for a 92 percent save rate before joining Grand View this past fall. This year will the first time since 2019 that No. 26 won’t be guarding the net, leaving an even bigger role for DCG’s defenders.

Their season kicks off March 25 at reigning 3A champion Johnston. The Mustangs won 2-1 last year against the Dragons.

Boys

After making it back to the state tournament in 2023 along with three straight Little Hawkeye crowns, the Mustangs look to be one of the most experienced clubs in the entire state this season.

Led by incoming seniors and first-team all-state selections Ben Jackson (18 goals) and Tate McDermott (8 goals), the Mustangs had seven players score multiple times last season. Not a single player from the group graduated, but five of the team’s top goal makers will be grabbing their diplomas in a couple of months.

And it’s not just an offensive POV that has the window open. Jaden Mendias held an 80 percent save rate last year as the team’s full-time goalie, filling well in his first year as a replacement to the previous duo that departed.

DCG’s season-opener follows the girls’ game at 7:30 in Johnston. The Mustangs won 3-2 against the Dragons in last year’s meeting.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: DCG soccer preview: Girls look for three-peat, boys look to dominate conference