The Varsity soccer team beat #1 ranked Hamilton last night in the State Soccer Semifinals to advance to the State Final next Monday afternoon. It was a game to remember, and it gives Xavier a shot at six State Titles in a row.

The Gators played great during the first half and had several chances to score, but the Hamilton goalkeeper made some great saves. Unfortunately, the Huskies scored first and carried a 1-0 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the Gators would continue to play well, and many of the players were having a very good game. Senior forwards Olivia Yu and Kyleigh Carr created numerous chances throughout the game and were very dangerous all night. 

Senior midfielders Kateri Etsitty and Nev Herzog played great the entire night and locked down the midfield defensively, doing a really nice job connecting passes to help start many of our attacks. Both Nev and Kateri were phenomenal!

Myriam Lawrence had a great game also, creating nice combination plays with the midfielders and the forwards, and she worked extra hard on defense, which the team really needed.

Using her experience to impact the game when she came in, senior Elie Lopez added energy and a defensive presence that the team needed. The tremendous backline of seniors Bianca Willis and Ivy Schumann, along with juniors Sophia Knox and Reese Koehler, were fantastic throughout the entire game. Our four defenders are so good, and they continually defend lights out!
 
But it wasn't until freshman Morgan Leach entered the game late in the second half that Xavier would get on the scoreboard. She would receive a ball from Myriam Lawrence and then tie the game 1-1 by striking a beautiful goal at a time the team needed it most. The Husky goalkeeper had no chance. 

Morgan would also take part in the game-winning goal when she received a pass from Elie Lopez and then delivered a nice pass to Olivia Yu, who took a shot that the goalkeeper could not handle. Kyleigh Carr was in the right place to knock the loose ball into the net to get the game winner.

VIDEO: Xavier Goals and Player Celebration at the Final Buzzer
 
In the final seven minutes of the game, the Huskies would manage to create two or three very dangerous opportunities, but senior goalkeeper Chloe Cundiff played incredible in those dangerous moments and made save after save after save to preserve the win! 

It was such an exciting game, and we are so thankful to all the students, teachers, administration, family, and friends who attended last night's semifinal match-up . The team played so well and deserved to win this game. This was a massive team effort from every single player on the team: cheering, supporting, and playing.

We invite everyone to come out to Mesa High School next Monday, 3/2, at 4:00 p.m. to support this great soccer team as they take on the #2 Casteel Colts in the State Championship Game. We need your support, and we need your loud voices. We look forward to the opportunity to play for another State Title in the Open Division. 

Great job last night, and Go Gator Soccer!

VIDEO: Several Ooh!-Aah! moments from Myriam and Oliva, Goalie Highlights, and Shots on Goal