North Scott ends Xavier’s girls’ soccer season again

DES MOINES — A year ago Xavier's 2A semifinal against North Scott was 0-0 through two overtimes until penalty kicks decided it. Thursday the Lancers didn't need any extra time as they used their talented front line to score four times in a 4-1 victory over the Saints.

Xavier, ranked fifth, finished 9-8. No. 4 North Scott (15-5), state champion a year ago, advances to Friday's semifinal against Ankeny.

'We were well aware of (Karli Rucker) and also (Abby) Buchanan and (Lindsay) Gallens,' Xavier Coach Beth Samek said. 'Those were the three individuals that were basically their attackers, but several people stepped up for them and that, I think, we weren't expecting.'

Those three have 27 of the team's 59 goals.

Senior Karly Soy, listed as a defender, opened the scoring when her shot from the right side was deflected into the net in the 17th minute.

But Xavier rallied and tied the game on a goal by Elena Minor in the 29th minute. Minor picked up the rebound off the goalie's hands and booted it home.

'Addy (Hoffman) played a great ball to Elena,' Xavier's Lizzie Bailey said. 'It's good to have Addy back. She had a concussion.'

The momentum shift was short-lived as Soy added a second goal in the 38th minute off a corner kick. The ball came down into the box and knocked off Soy and into the goal.

'They're pretty fast,' Bailey said. 'Poor communication in the back for some of it. They came to play today. Their forwards were great today.'

The Lancers put it away with two second-half goals. Karli Rucker scored when the Xavier keeper couldn't handle a shot, and it rolled away in the 55th minute. Then Lauren Blake scored on a cross from Lindsay Gallens with 15:41 left for the final margin.

'North Scott is a great team,' Bailey said. 'We came out a little flat. We could have played a lot better. I know we had a lot more in us.'

'I think this game was about who wanted it more,' Saints senior Katie Ives said. 'It was kind of a revenge game I would say. I think this game was about integrity and courage and who was going to go out there and change the game. I just think that it got a little too competitive and we kind of dropped off a little bit. We should have kept playing the way we knew we should.'

Ives and Bailey have graduated, but both valued their experience in the program.

'Xavier is a great community and the soccer program is amazing,' Ives said. 'I was blessed to be a part of the 2013 team, the last team to win the state championship. Being able to come to state is a great opportunity.'