It is the beginning of another season for the Xavier boys’ soccer team, and that means it is the beginning of another journey to the state tournament.

The Saints have been putting in their time and effort since the fall of 2016, determined for a different outcome at the state tournament than last year.

“Most of us worked the whole preseason,” junior William Hanigan said. “We played on club teams together, had lifting sessions, and morning workouts.”

So far, their efforts have paid off as the team has jumped to a 3-0 start in the opening of it’s season.

“We’re playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of effort right now,” junior Tyler Steffensmeier said.

The Saints played Waterloo West on Tuesday, April 4, and won 5-0. They then played to No. 3 ranked, and currently  No. 7, ranked Iowa City West on Saturday, April 8, and won by a score of 2-1.

On Tuesday, April 11, senior Lucas Duball scored both goals for the Saints as they topped No. 2 ranked Cedar Rapids Washington 2-1. They played at Linn-Mar on Tuesday, April 18. The Saints play tonight, Thursday, April 20, at 4:15 p.m. against Cedar Rapids Prairie.

Maria Steffen

Sports Writer