Xavier got up on Prairie in the first half and kept the pressure on, pulling away for a 5-1 boys soccer victory over the Hawks at Xavier on Wednesday.

“It wasn’t as one sided as it looks like on the scoreboard,” said Xavier Coach Amir Hadzic. “We were fortunate to use our opportunities and I think Prairie missed some opportunities at the beginning, so it could have gone either way.”

The Saints (4-1-1, 3-1 MVC) jumped out on Prairie (2-4, 1-3) in the 10th minute when senior midfielder Zach Smith fired a deep shot at Prairie keeper Adam Kueny, who blocked the shot but it bounced toward Xavier’s Chad Gilmer. Gilmer poked it out of reach of the keeper and buried it into the net for the goal.

After a little back and fourth, the Saints broke through again when senior Tim Bouchard found senior Chris Kapfer on a run behind the defense for the second goal.

“We built momentum early with those two goals and just kept moving along,” Bouchard said. “Our goal was to get more. When we got up they were going to pressure so we tried to counter on them.”

Xavier was able to do just that as sophomore Drew McGraw found the goal with one second left. Smith and sophomore Isaac Frisch rounded out the scoring for the Saints in the second half.

“I am really glad that we scored five goals because we have been struggling offensively all year long,” Hadzic said. “So this is a boost of confidence for us going into the next game.”

The Saints were also grateful to get to rest some starters. Every player on the Xavier roster got into the game on Wednesday, something they haven't been able to accomplish so far this year.

“Each game so far has been really close for us so it was good to have a little break and give an opportunity for other guys to play.”

Prairie’s lone goal came with just 12 seconds left when junior Colyn Snyder was able to flip a ball up to sophomore Kory Boebel who headed it in to break the shutout.

Xavier 5, Prairie 1

Goals -- Xavier: Chad Gilmer (10th min), Chris Kapfer (14th min), Drew McGraw (40th), Michael Smith (50th), Isaac Frisch (63rd). Prairie: Kory Boebel (80th). Assists -- Xavier: Michael Smith, Tim Bouchard, Isaac Frisch, Michael Tessmer, Josh Steffensmeier. Prairie: Colyn Snyder.