Untested front line comes through for Xavier girls

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Xavier's front line, the players charged with the responsibility of providing firepower for the defending state champions, came through with flying colors in the season opener.   It's evident that coach Bailey Winter is going to have to find something else to worry about with this edition of the Saints.   Lizzie Bailey, Katie Ives and Marisa Berutti scored two goals apiece in leading the 2A top-ranked Saints to a 6-0 victory over City High.   'Last year it probably would have been (Kayla) Armstrong five goals and Marisa Berutti one,' Winter said. 'I like that it's spread out. Those kids that scored two goals each were told at the beginning of the season they had to step up, and they did it. Two of them are captains.   'I don't have a lot of upperclassmen, we're a young team, so there's pressure on those three and Sydney Wright in our back line.'   Winter has emphasized the importance of goal scorers, calling that her No. 1 concern in girls soccer. At least at this stage, Xavier appears set. Ives scored on two free kicks with beautifully lofted shots over the keeper. Bailey scored on a high bouncer that she calmed and drilled into the net and on an assist from Ives right in front of the goal. Berutti showed nimble footwork and an ability to weave through the defense in scoring her second goal.   The three have played club with each other and seem to have good communication and the instincts to read each other.   'It might look easy, but we have to work on our game,' Berutti said.   All three had the knack of finishing their chances, something City High struggled with. The Little Hawks had chances in both halves but the shots were either errant or handled easily by goalie Holly Hazelton.   'That's what gives me hope that this is going to change,' City High coach Sara Bleeker said. 'They did some good things.'   City High has a number of players who run track as well as play soccer and while they were in uniform, the continuity was not quite there.   'The first half was rough,' Bleeker said. 'We can learn from it. A lot of kids have been moving to different positions. Positions aren't really set yet. That'll get better at the end of the season.'   Xavier looked like it was in midseason form in terms of its spacing, passing and its attack. The back line did a better job of clearing the ball when City did threaten.   'It was a nice game for us because we had an opportunity to play a competitive team and score a few goals as well as play some subs,' Winter said. 'It's a confidence builder.'