The SUFC U-10 boys went 4-0 in the President’s Cup. Front row, from left, Cash Dart, Colton Cherry, Barrett Ott, Mario Macias, Jake Albright and Chandler Stevens. Back, from left, Lucas Beste, Fletcher Stumph, Werner Morawitz, Peter Morawitz, Jake Blackburn and Trent Stumph. Courtesy photo
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In its final tournament of the spring season, the Sawtooth United U-11 girls' youth soccer team won the top prize of its division at the President's Cup tournament in Boise Sunday.
SUFC U-11 compiled a flawless 3-0 record using a stalwart defense that conceded only one goal and an offense that made the most of its opportunities.
They won their games by scores of 2-0, 3-0 and 5-1 to claim the championship at the 2011 President's Cup soccer tournament staged at Optimist Sports Complex in Eagle.
Coming off a second-place finish May 15 at the Idaho Falls Shootout tournament, SUFC was primed to make its run through the six-team Bronze bracket at the President's Cup.
"The girls' mindset from the beginning was 'we're in it to win it,'" coach Jody Zarkos said. "Nothing was going to deter them from that goal."
That included nemesis Canyon Crossfire Red, who SUFC beat 2-1 during league play in April to hand Crossfire its first league loss in two seasons. Taking the pitch Saturday morning, first-half goals by Kayla Chaffey and Mayra Grimaldo held up in a 2-0 SUFC triumph.
Goalie Scout Hutchinson pitched her second shutout of the day, backstopping Sawtooth to a 3-0 victory over Nova Red to punch a ticket to Sunday's championship game.
SUFC goal scorers were Sarah Truxal, Chaffey and Grimaldo. Strikers Brooke Beckwith, Emily Thayer and Lucy More contributed valuable minutes. Charlotte Woodham had an outstanding game at outside midfield.
Facing Nova Black in the tournament finale, Sawtooth U-11 struck quickly and left no doubt about which team was going home with the blue-ribboned medals.
Sun Valley slotted three goals in the first half en route to a 5-1 win. Strikers Mayra Grimaldo (3 goals) and Emerson McCune (2) led the offensive charge ably aided by halfbacks Lily Fitzgerald, Sophie Nasvik, Bailey Holter, Molly Milgard, Truxal and Chaffey.
The tenacious defense with center Megan Johnston and outside backs Libby Kaiser, Anik Zarkos and Leah Thayer denied the opposing team chances and any momentum.
"Every player stepped up and contributed over the weekend. It was a true team effort," Zarkos said. "We have 18 players with a wide range of abilities, but I can unequivocally say that every girl played up to her potential and contributed to this title.
"Proud does not even begin to describe how (assistant coach) Jen Milgard and I feel about the girls, not only for this weekend, but the whole season. They are a quality group."
The team compiled an 11-3-3 record in the three-month season, scoring 64 goals while conceding 19. It was comprised of Brooke Beckwith, Kayla Chaffey, Lily Fitzgerald, Mayra Grimaldo, Bailey Holter, Scout Hutchinson, Libby Kaiser, Megan Johnston, Lucy More, Emerson McCune, Molly Milgard, Sophie Nasvik, Cora Schneider, Emily Thayer, Leah Thayer, Sarah Truxal, Charlotte Woodham and Anik Zarkos.
They were one of nine SUFC teams at the President's Cup. Other teams enjoying success included the U-10 boys in the Silver Division, the U-12 Boys "A" and the U-15 boys.
( U-10 boys: SUFC won its division with a 4-0 record and 27-2 goals-against. Coaches were Werner Morawitz and Trent Stumph.
There was outstanding goalkeeping by Barrett Ott and Mario Macias. The back line was practically impenetrable, led by Jake Albright, Colton Cherry and Fletcher Stumph. Providing dominant teamwork in the midfield were Lucas Beste, Peter Morawitz and Chandler Stevens. Leading the productive attack were Jake Blackburn and Cash Dart.
( U-13 boys: Close games were the rule for coach Richard Whitelaw's group. SUFC fell 3-2 to Vallivue (2 goals by Danny Graves) and 3-2 to Nampa Select (Yuri McClure, Jack Dwyer). There was a 1-1 tie with Idaho Rush (Dwyer).
( U-16 girls: Claiming the third-place consolation title with a 3-1-0 record was the SUFC squad coached by Jessie Gouley and Jack Dies. High scorers were Hannah Dies and Haley Montgomery. SUFC dropped a 2-1 decision to Moscow and won three times, 2-1, 6-0 and 4-1 over Neto United in the third-place contest.
( U-12 boys: White team went 1-3 with a 3-0 win over Garden City (goals Kyle Furlong, Nathan Lambert, Michael Madsen). Other goal scorer was Dehner Figge. Navy squad was 0-3-1, goals by Irving Gonzalez (2) and Brandon Garcia.
Next: SUFC U-14 girls will compete in the Idaho State Cup Friday through Monday, May 27-30 in Twin Falls.
