Xavier earns 13th straight state trip

CEDAR RAPIDS - 'Underdog” might be a stretch.

No, for the first time in a long time, the Xavier Saints aren't the defending champions. No, they're not the top-ranked team. Their won-loss record is, by their lofty standards and unmatched history, quite pedestrian.

But it would be foolish to overlook this team in Des Moines.

Katie Ives posted a hat trick within the first 32 minutes, and fifth-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier dominated the action in a 7-0 Class 2A regional-final girls' soccer triumph over Independence on Monday at Heco Field on the Xavier High School campus.

Ives finished with four goals as the Saints (9-7) advanced to state for the 13th consecutive year.

'It's a really good feeling,” she said. 'I'm glad I was able to help the team. I was willing to do whatever to help us get this win.”

Xavier will face No. 4 North Scott in a 2A state quarterfinal at 2:45 p.m. Thursday at the Cownie Soccer Complex, Des Moines.

A nine-time state champion (including eight in a row from 2006 through 2013), Xavier saw its title run end last year in the semifinals - against North Scott.

'We're not going in as the No. 1 seed, and we didn't win the championship last year, so I think people will underestimate us,” Ives said. 'Playing all the 3A teams we played, I think that will help us a lot.”

First-year Xavier coach Beth Samek was a senior in 2006 when the Saints' title streak began.

'Getting to state isn't necessarily an expectation here, but it's a goal to get there, and beyond,” Samek said. 'Humility isn't an issue with this team. There's an urgency there to show the rest of the state where we stand with our skill and our play.”

Xavier's skill and its play was superior Monday. The Saints outshot Independence (11-11) by a margin of 44-2, and an advantage of 18-0 in shots on goal made life simple for keeper Melody Snow as Xavier posted its fourth straight win via shutout.

Ives was high on her first shot of the afternoon, then scored all three of the Saints' first-half goals, on assists from Elizabeth Fischer, Elena Minor and Grace McDermott.

'During the course of the season, Katie has added so many shots, playing the ball off or playing the ball outside,” Samek said. 'As a result, the defense doesn't know what she's able to do, and she takes advantage and finishes.”

Lizzy Bailey and Elena Minor scored within the first 3 1/2 minutes of the second half to blow it open, then Ives tacked on her fourth netter, then Minor converted her second.

'We wanted to start both halves strong, and we did that,” Samek said. 'When you get that momentum, one goal can lead to the next.”

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER 7, INDEPENDENCE 0

Class 2A Regional Final, at Heco Field

First half

4:52 - CRX: Katie Ives (Elizabeth Fischer)

19:24 - CRX: Ives (Elena Minor)

31:32 - CRX: Ives (Grace McDermott)

Second half

41:51 - CRX: Lizzy Bailey (unassisted)

43:19 - CRX: Minor (Sydney Wright)

60:46 - CRX: Ives (Brylee Bastian)

76:32 - CRX: Minor (unassisted)

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