Five players from Newton’s boys soccer team have scored at least two goals in the first three matches of the season.

The depth at the offensive end of the field is starting to take shape, and it’s one of the reasons the Cardinals have started the season 2-1 and played a large role in Newton winning its home tournament for the second straight season.

“We have so many options,” Newton sophomore Cody Klein said. “We have a lot more guys who can put the ball in the net. We all have the ability to score goals. I think that’s one thing that’s been better than last year.”

Klein scored twice in the Cardinals’ season opener against Marshalltown, but they lost the game 4-3.

On Saturday, he tallied just one assist, but because the Cardinals won both contests with ease, Klein felt like he and his team played better overall.

Newton opened the tournament with a 5-0 win over Central Iowa United and then downed Benton 4-1 in what turned out to be the tournament championship match.

Benton defeated Ottumwa 2-1 in the day’s second match and then Ottumwa turned back Central Iowa United 2-1 in sudden death penalty kicks to finish third.

“I was a little disappointed in how we came out in the first game,” Newton head boys soccer coach Zach Jensen said. “We weren’t as clinical as I would have liked us to have been in front of the net. We had plenty of opportunities and just weren’t clinical.”

That was not the case in the championship match against Benton.

Newton (2-1) jumped out to an early lead with three goals in the first 8 minutes and the Bobcats (1-2) never recovered.

All four goals scored by Newton in the game would be considered “pretty goals” by fans in the stands.

Bryar Annee scored the team’s first two…