Sandy, UT (6/26/2017)
The 2017 Farwest Regional Tournament had its knockout rounds over the weekend and Utah did extremely well. The state was consistently one of the top state's in the region as teams advance and in the end Utah will be sending 3 teams on to Nationals in Texas, G15 La Roca FC, G16 Celtic FC, and G17 Celtic FC. Sending 3 teams makes Utah the second highest represented state only behind Cal South who has 5 teams.
In addition to team excellence, Utah had several individuals who put on spectacular tournaments. In fact Utah had the top goal scorer in 5 of the 7 age groups on the girls side, and only finished 1 goal behind the top scorer in another. Elise Flake from G19 Celtic FC, Macy Martinez from G18 La Roca FC, Anna Pickering from G17 Celtic FC, Nicole Ray from G16 La Roca FC, and Caroline Stringfellow from G15 La Roca FC each led their age group in scoring having scored 8,6,8,7,8 goals respectively.
Recap of the Knockout Rounds:
Utah had 12 teams in the quarterfinals 10 on the girls side and 2 on the boys side. The boys side split their two games with 15U La Roca FC winning 3-1 while 14U La Roca S lost 6-2. On the girls side 14U La Roca FC lost 4-2, 15U La Roca FC won 5-2,15U USA won 1-0 on penalties, 16U La Roca FC won 1-0, 16U Celtic FC won 2-0, 17U Celtic FC won 7-1, 17U La Roca FC lost 2-1 on penalties, 18U La Roca FC won 3-0, 18U Utah FC won 2-0, 19U Celtic FC won 4-1. Utah finished 9 and 3 in the quarterfinal round.
The 9 teams in the semi-finals was the second highest count of any state association behind Cal South's 13. Utah's one boys representative, the 15U La Roca FC team, lost 3-2 to Arizona. In reversed situations, 15U La Roca FC won 3-2 while 15U USA lost 3-2 in overtime. 16U La Roca FC and 16U Celtic FC both won 2-1 with Celtic's win coming in overtime. 17U Celtic FC won 3-2. In the all Utah semi-final 18U La Roca FC beat 18U Utah FC 4-0. 19U Celtic FC won 2-1. Utah had 6 of a possible 8 teams advance to the final.
Placing 6 teams in the finals once again had Utah in second place among state associations behind Cal South, however Utah led all state's in girls teams in the finals with all 6 of their teams being girls teams. In the first final of the day the 15U La Roca FC team cruised to a 5-0 victory. Later in the all Utah final the 16U Celtic FC team beat 16U La Roca FC 3-2 on penalties. 17U Celtic FC won 4-3 over Cal South. 18U La Roca FC lost 3-2 in overtime. 19U Celtic FC took a hard loss 6-0 to Washington. Utah had 3 of a possible 5 teams win Regional Championships.
Thank you to all of the players, coaches, and parents that made these Farwest Regional Championships possible. We loved watching every minute of every game and know that every single player gave it their best. We hope to see all of you back here again next year. Help us cheer on our champions as they go on to Nationals.