DES MOINES - Connor Ramlo picked the perfect time to score his first state tournament goal.

The Cedar Rapids Xavier sophomore tapped the ball past the Storm Lake goalie in the 77th minute of the Class 2A championship match Saturday at Cownie Soccer Park. The goal broke a 1-1 tie and pushed the Saints past the Tornadoes for the Class 2A title, their third in four seasons.

“We had a good shot at scoring and I knew we needed one then just to get the win,” Ramlo said. “I was just there to put a touch on it and it snuck past the keeper.”

Following a scoreless first half, Xavier (14-5) took a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute when senior Eli Smith scored. With time running out, Storm Lake (15-2) used a goal by Peter Mulgae in the 71st minute as an equalizer when he pushed the ball past keeper Paul Cavin following an initial kick off the goalpost.

With three minutes remaining, though, the ball sneaked through the Storm Lake defense where it found the foot of Ramlo following a free kick by Smith. All it took from there was a tap.

“It was a little scramble there,” Xavier Coach Amir Hadzic said. “I think the goalkeeper was covered a little bit and couldn’t see the ball the best. Sometimes little taps are the way to go there.”

The goal knocked Storm Lake to a second-place finish in just its second appearance at the state tournament.

“It’s a big deal,” Storm Lake Coach Ben Schekirke said. “It’s a good thing for Storm Lake and it’s really going to set the standard high. In the future we’re going to try to get the other trophy.”

For Xavier it’s the sixth boys’ soccer title in school history, and it follows a first-round exit last season after the Saints had won consecutive titles in 2010 and 2011.

Hadzic said winning the title never gets old because they’re all different. The tap-in for the sixth title was certainly that.

“It’s special for me. I’ll remember it for a long time,” Ramlo said. “We had a good season — some ups and downs — but this was the ultimate goal and we pulled through and got the win.”

Four Xavier players were named to the all-tournament team. Isaac Frisch was named captain. He was joined on the team by Smith, Colin Gunn and Bryan Curphey.

BOYS STATE SOCCER TOURNAMENT
At Des Moines

Saturday

Class 3A
Championship
Iowa City West 2, Iowa City High 1

Consolation
Johnston 2, CR Kennedy 1 (2OT)

Class 2A
Championship
CR Xavier 2, Storm Lake 1

Consolation
Waverly-Shell Rock 1, Pella 0

Class 1A
Championship
Iowa City Regina 4, Dyersville Beckman 0

Consolation
Nevada 3, West Liberty 1