Xavier Boys Soccer

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.

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Hanigan has right number for Saints

Xavier freshman Will Hanigan made a rookie mistake and forgot to bring his jersey to the Class 2A state soccer tournament at Cownie Park in Des Moines Thursday.

"He was afraid he would not be able to play," Xavier Coach Amir Hadzic said with a big smile. "That's kind of a good story."

It turned out to be a great story.

Hanigan borrowed sophomore Matthew Been's jersey and scored the only goal with some fancy footwork as the Saints trimmed ADM, 1-0, in the opening round of the tournament.

Hanigan wore Been's No. 20 jersey instead of his own No. 14, with approval from the Iowa High School Athletic Association. He's not sure where he left his own white shirt.

"Probably in my dryer back home," he said sheepishly.

Xavier (15-2) will face Norwalk (16-3) in the semifinals Friday at 2:35 p.m. The Saints were headed home after Thursday's match and Hanigan vowed to be prepared for Friday's match, whether they're supposed to wear white shirts or blue.

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No.2 Saints earn trip to state soccer

Luke Koechner fired in two goals Saturday as the Xavier Saints blanked Clear Creek-Amana, 4-0, in the Class 2A substate finals at Heco Field.

The second-ranked Saints (14-2) will face seventh-ranked ADM (16-4) in the opening round of the state soccer tournament Thursday at 2:35 p.m. in Des Moines.

Xavier has won six state titles in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

Koechner gave the Saints an early 1-0 lead on an assist from Stephen Jones. Will Hanigan made it 2-0 with an assist from Luke Duball, then Koechner scored again on an assist from Duball to make it 3-0 at halftime.

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No. 2 Saints roll into substate finals

Connor Ramlo, Luke Duball and Nolan Armstrong scored two goals Thursday as the second-ranked Xavier Saints defeated Fort Madison, 8-0, in the semifinals of the Class 2A substate soccer tournament at Heco Field.

Xavier (13-2) will host Clear Creek-Amana in the substate finals Saturday at noon.

Camden Stovie and Shane Scott also scored goals for Xavier.

Will Hanigan collected three assists for the Saints. Ramlo had two assists. Stephen Jones, Luke Koechner and Nick Koechner also had assists.

Jordan Even and Austin Havertape combined for the shutout in goal.