Metro Sports Report

Lions snare 1st soccer title in history

DES MOINES - The Linn-Mar Lions lingered on the championship field at the Cownie Soccer Park for more than 30 minutes Saturday evening, posing for pictures and hugging everyone in sight.

It took 30 years since the start of the program for Linn-Mar High School to capture its first state title in boys soccer and nobody wanted to leave the scene after a remarkable three-day run through some of the best soccer teams in Iowa.

The Lions blanked Ankeny Centennial, 2-0, in the championship game of the Class 3A state tournament Saturday with talent, guts and a little luck.

"We've been building for it for a couple of years," said Jack Ramsey, named the captain of the all-tournament team. "Our seniors are a great group and we all really meshed together.

Saints claim 7th state soccer title

DES MOINES - The Xavier Saints were all lined up for a team picture and smiling for the cameras Saturday when suddenly a spry 47-year-old man ran up from behind and jumped on top of the players.

It was Xavier Coach Amir Hadzic, delighted with the seventh state soccer title in school history and finally able to breathe after a tense battle against DeWitt Central.

The Saints topped the Sabers, 1-0, in double overtime on a goal by sophomore Luke Duball to claim the Class 2A title and the seventh crown in the past 12 years.

"It's lucky 7," said Hadzic, beaming. "To keep a program like this consistently in contention is a big job. It's not just coaches kind of taking the glory. It's volunteers, parents, administrators.

Washington girls net 3rd place

IOWA CITY – The Washington girls were unable to defend their Class 2A state tennis title Saturday, but they did the next best thing.

Routed by eventual champ Des Moines Roosevelt in the morning semifinals, the Warriors bounced back to whitewash Urbandale 5-0 in the afternoon consolation match to claim third place.

No. 1 singles player Lilly Hartman was the only one taken to three sets in the afternoon session. After losing her first game 6-3, she rallied to win the second 6-2 and took the tiebreaker 10-6.

Straight-set victories were notched by Hannah Sherman (6-1, 6-1), Kelly King (6-3, 6-3), Jennifer Greif (6-2, 6-0) and Laura Gibson (6-0, 6-0). Eliza Sundermann did not need to finish her match once the Warriors clinched the meet.

Xavier girls take 2nd at 1A tennis

ANKENY - The Xavier Saints finished second at the Class 1A girls tennis tournament in Ankeny Saturday.

The Saints nipped Ballard, 5-4, in a marathon match in the semifinals. The Saints then lost to Waterloo Columbus, 5-0, in the finals.

Allison Jasper, Claire Bouchard and Katie Neumeyer won their singles matches against Ballard.

SEMIFINALS

Xavier 5, Ballard 4

Singles

1. Allison Jasper (X) def. Emily Jurgensen, 6-1, 6-1
2. Alex Petersen (B) def. Jeanne Bouchard, 5-7, 7-5, 10-7
3. Claire Bouchard (X) def. Meredith Ossian, 6-2, 2-6, 10-6
4. Katie Neumeyer (X) def. Rylee Cahill, 7-5, 3-6, 10-5
5. Olivia Astaria (B) def. Megan D'mello, 6-0, 6-1
6. Hannah Astaria (B) def. Nina Marquardt, 7-5, 4-6, 10-6