Appleton Xavier handed Waupaca a 2-0 defeat Sept. 7 in an Eastern Valley Conference boys’ soccer matchup.

Both of the Hawks’ goals came in the first half. Cesar Martinez scored three minutes into the game and Dillon O’Brien added a score in the 35-minute mark.

“Although we lost, we played our best game of the season,” coach Mark Polebitski said. “The team showed marked improvement in technical and team play. Our touches were better than a couple of weeks ago, which helped us create some super opportunities. Every outing, this team seems to improve.”

Goalkeeper Eric Cummings stopped seven shots as Xavier outshot Waupaca 9-8.

“Adam Kaminske missed three one-on-one breaks with the keeper in the first half,” Polebitski said. “Joe Goudzwaard was great on his timing coming out of the goal and shut down Adam all three times. Joe also defended three other breakaways where the Xavier defender was in our forward’s pocket. I give him credit for a great game in the goal. Eric and Joe train with the same goalkeeping trainer in Stevens Point. It’s always awesome when guys who train together get to play against each other. I think it helps build the sportsmanship of soccer.”

Waupaca played in Freedom Tuesday and will host Winneconne at 7 p.m. Tuesday.