Metro Sports Report

Hanigan heads Saints to verge of title

DES MOINES - The Xavier Saints will be gunning for their seventh state title Saturday thanks to a precocious freshman who used his head at the right time.

Will Hanigan scored the game-winning goal with 5 minutes, 27 seconds left in overtime Friday as the Saints trimmed Norwalk, 3-2, in the semifinals of the Class 2A state soccer tournament.

"That was one of the best moments of my life," said Hanigan, exuberant in victory. "I'm just glad I can help our team make it to the finals, but we deserved that game.

"I'm just super-happy with that."

Xavier (16-2) will face DeWitt Central (19-1) in the championship match Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Cownie Soccer Park in Des Moines.

Adams saves Lions against No.1 Johnston

DES MOINES - Phil Adams spent his first three years on the Linn-Mar soccer team as a defender and midfielder, but when all-state goalkeeper Jared Belin graduated after the 2014 season he volunteered to play between the pipes as a senior.

Now he's one of the big reasons the Lions will be playing for the Class 3A state title Saturday against Ankeny Centennial.

Adams made a brilliant save on a penalty kick in the second half Friday to help the Lions upend top-ranked Johnston, 2-1, in the semifinals of the state tournament at Cownie Park.

Adams made his final save with just a few seconds left in the match and held onto the ball for dear life until the horn sounded.

Hartman, Sherman settle for 3rd place

IOWA CITY - After four years of playing in the top echelon of prep tennis, Washington senior Lilly Hartman knows the ups and downs of her sport.

Fortune can turn at the drop of a topspin.

When she and sophomore doubles partner Hannah Sherman forged a first-set 5-3 lead in their semifinal match of the Class 2A girls state championships Friday morning, they looked to be in complete control.

Besides her competitive spirit, Hartman’s strength is her rocket serve. But with the opening set on the line, a gritty duo from Urbandale broke Hartman’s serve to stay alive and won the next three games as well to pull out a 7-5 comeback victory.

Xavier girls take 3rd at state tennis

ANKENY - Claire Bouchard, Jeanne Bouchard and Allison Jasper of Xavier finished third at the Class 1A state tennis tournament Friday in Ankeny.

The Bouchard sisters placed third in the state doubles competition and Jasper finished third in singles.

The Bouchard sisters lost to Micayla Taylor and Grace Blomstedt of Red Oak, 6-2, 6-4, in the semifinals. They defeated Olivia Fain and Lauren McManus of Waterloo Central in a tiebreaker, 1-6, 6-4, 10-8, for third place.

Jasper lost to Kate Walker of Red Oak, 6-2, 6-3, in the semifinals. She defeated Lily Hamilton of Grinnell in a tiebreaker, 7-5, 5-7, 10-6, for third place.