Utah State Cup Champions Crowned on Memorial Day

The 2006 Utah State Cup concluded on Memorial Day with the crowning of state champions in eleven age groups. Eight of the matches were close with a difference of only one goal. The high level of play in all of the games was matched by the quality of the officiating. Appreciation is extended to State Cup Chair Jodene Smith and her committee for the long hours spent to oversee this event.

In addition to the eleven teams crowned Monday, six champions were determined in the Fall 2006 State Cup last October. Winning teams in the under 12 through under 19 age divisions will represent Utah at the Far West Regional Championships held June 18-25 in Boise, Idaho. Utah also has the opportunity to send four additional wild-card teams in GU16, GU19, BU17, and BU18 age divisions. During Far West Regional Championships, check our website to see how the Utah teams are doing.

Congratulations to the champions as well as to all of the participants in the 2006 Utah State Cup.

Boys U12 - Sparta 94 Premier 1 vs. La Roca 0

Coached by Matthew Ellinger, Sparta 94 Premier defeated LaRoca FC by a score of 1-0. Skyler Milne scored the goal after receiving the ball mid field and shooting from 20 yards out. The match was highly competitive as these teams continued a great rivalry from their first and second place finish in the Spring U12 Premier League.

Boys U13 - Sparta 93 Premier 1 vs. USA 0

Sparta won a hard-fought match against USA-Cracroft and came away with a 1-0 win. Dillon Richens scored the goal in the first half; however, the match was close until the end. The Sparta defense led by keeper Camree Gautavai held their opponents scoreless through the tournament.

Boys U14 - La Roca 2 vs. Inter FC Premier 0

Teamwork and effort from every member of the team contributed to the 2-0 win of La Roca over Inter FC Premier. La Roca worked hard all season long to be at the top of their game for State Cup. During the tournament, they scored 27 goals and kept their opponents shutout. This team previously won the 2004 State Cup with the Advantage Club and look forward to competing at the Far West Regional Championships again.

Girls U12 - Avalanche 94 Premier 2 vs. Sparta 94 Premier 1

Avalanche, coached by Karen Chin, beat Sparta 94 Premier by two goals to one. Avalanche player Pete Manu at about the eighth minute scored the first goal. Sparta was awarded a penalty kick at about the 22nd minute, which they scored, and the first half ended in a 1-1 tie. At about 5 minutes into the second half, Avalanche scored again on a goal by Lexi Selman.

Girls U13 - Avalanche 93 Premier 2 vs. Blitzz FC 1

It is always a close match when Avalanche 93 Premier and Blitzz FC compete. Monday Avalanche came out on top in a 2-1 win. The first half of the match was intense and ended in 0-0. Avalanche scored first in the 2nd half when Katelyn Taylor served the ball in to Kendra Bailey who volleyed it into the goal. It took Blitzz only 10 minutes to even the score at 1-1. Katelyn Taylor scored the final goal in overtime with a hard shot to the far post. The match ended just minutes later.

Girls U14 - Avalanche 92 Premier 2 vs. Sparta 92 Premier 1

Avalanche 92 Premier prevailed over 2-time State Champion Sparta 92 in a 2-1 win. The first half was dominated by Avalanche with two goals by Sara Drury. Sparta came on hard in the second half and scored one goal. The Avalanche defense held Sparta off to the end of the match and came up with the win.

Girls U15 - Avalanche 91 Premier 1 vs. Inter FC Girls 0

The match between Avalanche 91 Premier and Inter FC Girls 91 was hard-fought to the very end. With only minutes left in the match, Kylee Brown of Avalanche scored the winning goal.

Girls U16 - Avalanche 90 Premier 4 vs. Celtic Storm Premier 1

Avalanche 90 Premier won State Cup in 2003 and 2004. The first half of the final match against Celtic Storm was tough with one goal scored by Kealia Ohai for Avalanche. During the second half Kealia scored another goal. Celtic Storm created opportunities with a couple of shots hitting the post and ended up with one goal. Niki Fernandes scored two goals for Avalanche to insure the win.

Girls U17 - Sparta 89 Premier 2 vs. Utah Rush Nike 1

After winning the U18 Premier Division in the spring, Sparta 89 Premier was ready to take on State Cup. During the tournament, they scored 29 goals and only gave up two. In the Championship match against a strong Utah Rush team, they won two goals to one. Lauren Hair scored both of the Sparta goals in the first half. At about 10 minutes into the second half Erin Daley scored for Rush. The play was very close throughout the second half, but Sparta held Rush off and was rewarded with the win.

Girls U18 - Avalanche 88 Black 4 vs. Sparta 88 Premier 1

Avalanche 88, coached by Joanna Barney, enjoyed their 5th State Cup win Monday. The match against Sparta 88 Premier was very physical and hard fought. At the end of the first half Avalanche was up one goal to zero. During the second half, Shannon Larsen scored for Sparta on a direct kick from 18 yd. Avalanche scored three additional goals in the second half.

Girls U19 - Celtic Storm 2 vs. Avalanche 2

2006 is the 6th year in a row Robyn Bretzing will take her Celtic Storm to the Region IV Championships. The U19 girl's final match between Celtic Storm and Avalanche was played on Saturday, May 27. The first goal of the match was scored in the first half by Allysa Vanderveur of Avalanche. During the second half, Shayley Ipson scored another goal for Avalanche. Celtic Storm continued to fight for a goal and with 10 minutes remaining Kim Crosbie scored. Lynzee Lee equalized with 30 seconds remaining on an assist from Katie Larkin ending the match with a 2-2 tie. No goals were scored during over-time and the match was decided by penalty kicks.