Friday afternoon was another gorgeous day for soccer at Cownie Sports Complex on the southeast side of Des Moines.  The eight team field was cut in half down to four teams for Friday’s Semifinal action at 2019 Girls’ State Soccer Tournament.

The #1 seeded ADM Tigers faced the #5 seeded Cedar Rapids Xavier Saints after both teams advanced past their Quarterfinal match-up on Thursday.  ADM defeated Burlington Notre Dame 1-0, while Xavier handed a 3-0 loss to the Spencer Tigers.

ADM was shorthanded coming into the game as the Tiger’s leading goal scorer, Sophomore, Ashlyn Watt has been dealing with a leg injury, as of late.  Watt did start on Friday, and played sparingly, but was unable to contribute significant minutes.

In the first 5 minutes of the game, Xavier scored a goal to give the Saints a 1-0 lead.  For much of the first half, Xavier dominated possession and tempo, as ADM was pinned in their defending 1/3 of the field.  In the latter part of the first frame, ADM was able to get some scoring opportunities with corner kicks and shots on goal, but came up empty in scores.

In the second half, ADM, already banged up with the departure of Ashlyn Watt, was then even more bruised up by Elle Hook and Abby Gonzalez falling victim to minor injuries.  Hook and Gonzalez were able to return to play, though Hook left for the final time with 8 minutes to play in the second half.

Xavier dominated possession in the final 40 minutes, as ADM was able to only get a couple shots on goal after the intermission.  The Tigers struggled to control the ball and penetrate to their attacking 1/3 of the field.

ADM’s season ends with a record of 18-2 in the Semifinal round of the State Tournament.  Xavier, now 16-4, advances to the Championship game tomorrow, and will face Waverly-Shell Rock, who defeated DC-G on Friday 1-0.