No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier ends upstart Marion’s run in boys’ state soccer quarterfinals

DES MOINES — Amir Hadzic knew his Cedar Rapids Xavier boys’ soccer team was facing a different Marion opponent than the squad it beat 4-0 on April 17.

“I was maybe the first one to call it,” Hadzic said of the Indians’ turnaround that had them on a nine-game winning streak entering this Class 2A boys’ state soccer quarterfinal.

He was right about that, and he was right that the top-ranked Saints were in for more of a battle Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Park. Xavier (14-5) held on for a 1-0 win to advance to Thursday’s semifinals against No. 10 Adel ADM (16-4).

“I think it was a battle worthy of the state tournament,” Hadzic said.

Hadzic made his midseason prediction about Marion on a phone call to Marion Coach Kory Boebel, who he coached at Mount Mercy from 2013 to 2016.

The two hugged at midfield after the game.

“The boys played their hearts out,” Boebel said. “I think we proved to the state that we are no (substate) 5-seed. Or (state tournament) 8-seed. Couldn’t be more proud.”

The Saints attacked early and often, winning seven corner kicks in the first 20 minutes. Those proved fruitless, but a free kick from close to the same angle worked out better.

Hadzic told Ren Schroud to roll his kick from the side of the box toward the goalmouth. Schroud, who will continue playing for Hadzic at Mount Mercy, did exactly that and Reilly Moore was there to poke it in off the gloves of Marion goalkeeper Calen Claypool.

“We work a lot on set pieces and in the state tournament those can be really handy when you cannot break through defenses,” Hadzic said.

The Xavier back line did the rest from there. After giving up two goals in a substate final win over Dubuque Wahlert last week, the Saints were tidy in this one while dealing with a skilled Marion attack led by forward Levi Murphy (19 goals).

“They were a decent team the first time we played them but then they got a couple guys back and we knew that they were a really dangerous team,” Xavier center back Nick Lemke said. “We just focused on our goal. We focused on how we played. Obviously we did all right.”

Xavier’s regular-season schedule in the Mississippi Valley Conference obviously is good prep for moments like this, trying to hold a 1-0 lead in the state tournament.

The Saints routinely go against the likes of Kolby Godbolt, who scored four goals in Iowa City West’s Class 3A quarterfinal win Tuesday.

“When you come into state there’s no room for mistakes,” Lemke said. “Play your hardest, play your best no matter what. The outcome will come from that. Because we played against the best, we were used to that and we were ready for it in the long run.”