October 11, 2003

State Cup Champions Crowned in U15-18 Boys Divisions

Four champions were crowned on Saturday, October 11th as the fall portion of the 2004 State Cup drew to its conclusion. The day began with Sandy's Sparta club seeking a championship in each of the boys divisions from U15 through U18. When the sun finally set on the West Jordan Soccer Complex on Championship Saturday, Sparta owned two titles. The other titles were claimed by Inter FC and Cougars.

The day opened with Sparta's U15 Premier team defeating UV Rangers 89 by the score of 3-0 for the U15 championship. This Sparta team advanced through Group B with victories over Rangers Silver and USA. Next came a semi-final victory over Advantage, which notched the only goal against Sparta Premier during its title run. Sparta Premier combined an electric offense with a stifling defense to outscore its opponents by a whopping 22-1 margin during the tournament.

Sparta Premier and Inter FC Premier met in the U16 championship game. Inter FC overcame windy conditions to top Sparta, 2-0. Inter FC advanced from group play with victories over IJAG and Firebirds. Inter FC cruised past Inter DC Prestige in a quarterfinal match, and then defeated Impact Black, 3-1, in a tight semi-final.

Sparta returned to the championship podium in the U17 boys division. Sparta's U17 Premier team squeaked past UV Rangers 87, 1-0. Sparta Premier earned a quarterfinal date with the Firebirds by topping X-Max and USA in group play. In semi-final action, Sparta overcame an early deficit to eliminate UFC Blitzz in a spirited 2-1 match.

The U18 division yielded the tournament's biggest surprise. In the final game of the day, Cougars 86 completed its Cinderella story by defeating Sparta Premier, 3-1, to become the U18 champions. Cougars advanced from group play with a draw with Inter FC and victories over the Firebirds and Heber Valley Storm. After blitzing Inter FC in the quarterfinals, Cougars met an old nemesis, Advantage, in the semi-finals. Cougars dispatched the two-time defending champions with a 2-0 upset victory. Cougars then conquered the tournament with a victory over Sparta Premier, another former State Cup champion.