by Coach Barb Chura and Chris Pfaff, Xavier Sportswriter

The Varsity soccer team beat Boulder Creek 2-1 in the Open State Semifinals on Saturday and will now play for the State Championship against Casteel next Saturday, March 1. The Gators earns the rare opportunity to win their fifth consecutive State Soccer Championship and ninth State Title under Coach Chura.

It was a hot afternoon, but our team put on a tough, gritty, and gutsy performance. The game was physical the entire day, but our TEAM defense prevailed.

With less than six minutes left in the first half, the Gators were awarded a penalty kick, and Senior Lainey Swanson converted it (see highlight video). Xavier led 1-0 at the end of the first half.

During the first part of the second half, Xavier survived a few close calls from the Boulder Creek offense.

However, with around seventeen minutes remaining in the game, Boulder Creek prevailed with the equalizer. Xavier 1, Boulder Creek 1.

The Gators continued to create many scoring opportunities but struggled to find the back of the net. Finally, with 2:40 left in the game, Senior Michal Cagungun received a ball around midfield, dribbled a short distance, and then delivered the most perfect pass from the Xavier logo to Junior Olivia Yu streaking down the middle of the field toward the Boulder Creek goal. Yu dribbled past the top of the Penalty Box and shot the ball underneath the goalkeeper to give Xavier a 2-1 lead and put the game out of reach for Boulder Creek.

Junior goalkeeper Chloe Cundiff was solid in net, making a few really good saves.

The back line of sophomores Sophia Knox and Reese Koehler, senior Izzy Lee, and Junior Bianca Willis played shut down defense the entire game.

Junior midfielders Nev Herzog and Kateri Etsitty and Senior Captain Ally Brown played fantastically. They defended together as well as attacked together and dominated in the air.

The forward line of Swanson, Cagungun, and Yu created numerous scoring opportunities throughout the game. Juniors Elie Lopez, Ivy Schuman and Kyleigh Carr contributed some great minutes as well.

A thank-you goes out to all the students who came out and supported their classmates. The team felt their presence and hope they will support the team again next Saturday in the State Final, 4pm at Mesa High School.

Go Gators!

Xavier Highlight Video: See both Xavier goals!