What we learned from Dallas Center-Grimes and Waverly-Shell Rock's 2A state semifinal victories
There will be a championship rematch in Class 2A at the girls state soccer tournament Saturday.
Top-ranked and undefeated Dallas Center-Grimes will go up against defending 2A state champion Waverly-Shell Rock after both teams were victorious in the semifinals Thursday at the Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines.
Waverly-Shell Rock defeated DCG in last year's title game by a 5-1 score.
DCG 3, Cedar Rapids Xavier 1
Dallas Center-Grimes head coach Dan James gave junior forward Caroline White the nickname ''cool cat" this season.
White certainly lived up to the name during Thursday's Class 2A semifinals of the girls state soccer tournament at the Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines.
After scoring just one goal all season heading into the semifinals White put two goals on the board in a 3-1 Mustang victory over Cedar Rapids Xavier Thursday.
White scored her first goal on amazing shot from the left side eight minutes into the second half. The shot lofted high in the air and looped over Xavier keeper Alena Kunz to break a 1-1 tie.
"I saw the goalie was out of position and it was an easy one," White said. "I just lofted it over."
Four minutes later White struck again off a great ball from Avery Korsching to put the Mustangs up by two goals and essentially ice the game.
"I felt on fire," White said. "It was awesome and I feel really good to be going to the championship."
DCG will take a perfect 21-0 record into the 2A championship game against Waverly-Shell Rock Saturday.
Outstanding depth is a big reason DCG will get another crack at Waverly-Shell Rock Saturday. White came off the bench to replace injured starter Olivia Cyr.
"It's a big part of why we're the No. 1 team," White said. "We have so many good players that can play so many different places."
Kylie Knief scored DCG's first goal 19 minutes into the game. That evened the score after Mary Kate Moeder gave Xavier an early 1-0 lead with a goal 10 minutes into the game.
Xavier ended its season with a 13-4 record.
Waverly Shell-Rock 1, Norwalk 0
Waverly-Shell Rock earned the right to defend its 2A state crown with a tight 1-0 victory over Norwalk in the semifinals Tuesday.
The Go-Hawks scored the game's only goal a little over 14 minutes into the second half. That held up thanks to the amazing Waverly-Shell Rock defense.
Missy Smith scored an unassisted goal for the Go-Hawks to account for all the scoring. The Waverly-Shell Rock defense made that goal the difference by pitching their 15th shutout of the season.
Waverly-Shell Rock will take an 18-1 record into the 2A championship game Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on Field 9 at the Cownie Soccer Complex. The game will earn one team a big measure of revenge as DCG is looking to avenge last year's title loss and the Go-Hawks want to get the Mustangs back for a 1-0 loss in their season opener.
Alyssa Hertel is a college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Dallas Center-Grimes, Waverly-Shell Rock win Class 2A soccer semifinals
