Xavier girls’ soccer team has big plans

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Xavier girls' soccer team has a proud past.

From 2006 to 2015, the Saints qualified for every state tournament and won eight titles. They hold the record in Iowa for most consecutive titles won and, in 2010, were recognized as the fourth best team in the nation.

In 2014 and '15, however, the Saints have lost to the North Scott Lancers, first in the semifinals in after a penalty-kick shootout and, last year, in the quarterfinals.

Sophomore Elena Minor, one of three underclassmen who played for the Saints last year, is anxious for this season.

'After the loss of Lizzy Bailey and Katie Ives, there are some holes that need to be filled in the varsity lineup,” Minor said. 'We have a lot of good people on our team and we have some good freshmen that can step up.”

One of the team's biggest goals this year is to finally defeat North Scott and get back to the state championship match.

'Our team goal every year is to make it to the state tournament and with hard work and dedication it is definitely possible,” Coach Beth Samek said.

Last year was Samek's first year coaching the Saints. She is a 2006 Xavier graduate and played soccer for the Saints and Mount Mercy University.