Xavier determined to return to state soccer

CEDAR RAPIDS - The journey is underway, a trek that the Xavier boys' soccer team hopes leads to the state tournament.

The Saints have been putting in their time and effort since the fall of 2016, determined for a different outcome at the state tournament than last year.

'Most of us worked the whole preseason,” junior William Hanigan said. 'We played on club teams together, had lifting sessions, and morning workouts.”

So far, their efforts have paid off. The Saints are 5-3 after Thursday's overtime loss at Dubuque Wahlert, and have won two of their last three games.

The Saints own wins over Class 3A ranked City High and Iowa City West this season.

'We're playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of effort right now,” junior Tyler Steffensmeier said.