Ames beat Sioux City East 4-0 to reach Waukee rematch

A fast start changed everything

In tournament football, early control often decides the evening. That appears to have been the case here.

• Natalie Westort reportedly opened the scoring with a long-range effort.
• Kate Badding then added two goals in quick succession.
• Ames were said to be 3-0 up before the contest had fully settled.

That matters ahead of the final. Quick starts travel well, especially in regional play, where nerves and momentum can swing a match before half-time.

Badding’s big moment

The standout storyline is Badding. The report says she had scored only once this season before this semifinal, then delivered two from midfield in a knockout game. That kind of contribution can change how an opponent prepares.

It also points to something useful about Ames beyond the headline scoreline:

• Goals are not coming from one source alone.
• Midfield runners can hurt teams from distance and from second-wave attacks.
• Service from teammates such as Carly Selsby and Lyza Britten appears to be creating high-value moments.

The Waukee rematch

The challenge now looks clear. The report says Waukee won the sides’ previous meeting 3-1, and Ames are also said to be the lower-ranked team heading into the final. That gives the rematch a simple edge: Ames have form, but they also have a recent reference point for what must improve.

Attention now turns to the regional final on 4 June, where a place at state is on the line. If Ames can reproduce the same sharp opening and get another decisive midfield performance, the rematch may be tighter than the last result suggested.