Xavier advances to 2A boys’ soccer state title game with 4-2 win

DES MOINES- When there were goals in Cedar Rapids Xavier's 4-2 win over Iowa Falls-Alden/AGWSR in the Class 2A boys' state soccer semifinals Friday, they came in bunches at Cownie Stadium.

In a frantic first 10 minutes, Luke Duball sent his second goal of the tournament past Cadet keeper Kolton Peterson. Less than two minutes later, Will Hanigan got his second as well.

Things were looking up for No. 1 seed Xavier, now 14-4 on the season. It was, however a short-lived lead. IFA/AGWSR superstar Marcos Vila made his presence known. Vila got goals No. 57 and 58 of the season within two minutes of each other.

'We panicked a little after we got up 2-0,” Xavier head coach Amir Hadzic said. 'We were not ready for it, he scored two and the momentum shifted. I thought up 2-0 we could go for everything.”

He made it look easy, too, faking out freshman keeper Owen McCarron both times. The Saints started to dominate possession after the second goal and by the time the second half rolled around, they had 19 shots to No. 4 IFA/AGWSR's - which was 20-0 coming into the match - three.

Vila was completely taken out of the game at this point and the Xavier attack started to make headway. The Saints changed up their defense a bit, successfully focusing on taking the Cadets' star out of the game.

As the second half kicked off, however, the Saints still couldn't get through Peterson again. He ended the game with 22 saves and Xavier ended with a total of 43 shots, 26 of which were on goal.

'You have to give him credit, he was saving everything,” junior forward Justin Schneider said. 'We laid down so many, but I kind of think that is what our team is built on- we don't give up.”

With 21:51 left in the game, the Saints finally broke through. After Peterson saved a Hanigan shot, Schneider was able to score his fifth goal of the year. It was a rebounded shot after Peterson pushed the initial ball out of the area.

IFA/AGWSR wasn't able to clear it and the game was effectively over. Hanigan added a penalty kick goal two minutes later to add some insurance and take the game to the final tally.

Xavier will have a chance Saturday at 2:30 p.m. to win its eighth boys' soccer title, which would be its second in three years. The Saints will play No. 2 Norwalk, which topped Perry 4-0.

'It's an epic battle every time, we have a long rivalry with them and (Saturday's) game will not disappoint, I'm pretty sure,” Hadzic said. 'We'll be evenly matched and I expect a close game.”

l Comments: jordan.hansen@thegazette.com