Regional soccer roundup: Iowa City West back to defend state title

A road trip and fellow top-six foe didn't faze Iowa City West.

The fifth-ranked Women of Troy scored in the third minute and went on to defeat No. 6 Bettendorf, 2-0, Monday to book a return to Des Moines this week in search of a second straight state title.

Marissa Frisbie netted the early winner on feeds from Payton Pottratz and Emma Cooper, then Cooper buried a penalty kick in the 36th minute after a Bettendorf hand ball.

West (16-3) has won 13 games in a row since a 3-3 start.

Linn-Mar also traveled east, but fell behind early and was sent home by No. 4 Pleasant Valley, 3-2.

The Mississippi Athletic Conference champs were up 2-0 after 20 minutes and led 3-0 before Claire Larson put the Lions on the board just before halftime.

Rachel Crawford made it 3-2 in the 68th minute, but an equalizer eluded the 14th-ranked Lions (11-8).

Cedar Rapids Xavier's 13-year streak of state tournament appearances was snapped by No. 3-ranked North Scott.

The Lancers, who ended the Saints' season in last year's state quarterfinals, prevailed by a 2-1 final.

Ryanne Rausch added to her Class 2A-leading goals total with her 38th as No. 9 Newton ended 14th-ranked Clear Creek-Amana's state-tournament bid with a 1-0 victory.

Also in 2A, No. 7 Waverly-Shell Rock poured in four second-half goals to put away Independence, 5-0.

After a two-year absence, No. 6 Center Point-Urbana is state bound again in Class 1A.

Two Grayson Grifford goals and one from Arika Wooldridge powered the Stormin' Pointers past No. 13 Denver, 3-1. It was 2-0 at halftime before the Cyclones cut the lead in half in the 55th minute.

Gifford but a bow on it with her second goal in the 71st, tapping in a saved penalty kick.

Elsewhere in 1A, top-ranked Davenport Assumption overwhelemed Solon, 5-0.