One goal halfway through the second and final overtime period was just enough for Cedar Rapids-Xavier to escape with a win over Pella in the Class 2A state soccer semifinals on Friday by a final score of 2 – 1. David Wiley scored the game’s first goal midway through the first half on a rebound off a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar. Xavier would answer back a few minutes later to tie the game at one, and that’s how the score would stand until the second overtime. Pella’s best chance to win the game came with 12 seconds left in overtime number one, as a shot from nine feet out sailed inches wide right of the goal as the period was coming to a close. After the match, Coach Mark Solomon talked about his guys’ effort and the tenacity of the team’s defense to hang tough with arguably the toughest team they’ve faced all season. Pella has a 14 – 6 – 2 record and will try to be just one of two teams to finish their state tournament run with a win in the consolation match today against Waverly-Shell Rock at 1:40 p.m.

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