ST. GEORGE — The Weber State men's soccer team won the Utah Regional Soccer Tournament and earned a trip to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to compete for a national club sport championship.
Weber defeated runner-up Salt Lake Community College 1-0 to earn the title and an automatic birth at nationals. Each team played five games in two days to make it to the title game.
Weber dominated the first half and struck early, scoring the game's only goal just six minutes in. Weber's Nate Bringhurst took a free kick from 20 yards out following a SLCC foul. It was a low line drive that the SLCC keeper could only deflect. Weber's Ben Booth was in the right place at the right time and was able to finish it off, giving the Wildcats an early lead.
Weber coach Ryan Taylor stated that following the goal he turned to his assistant and said, "That is going to do it." Taylor knew his defense was up to the challenge and would not break down and allow SLCC back into the game.
The rest of the first half went as planned as Weber dominated play, rarely allowing SLCC any shots on goal.
The second half was a different story. SLCC came out with more intensity and energy. They pressured the Weber defense. SLCC caught a break when a Weber player was issued a red card and sent off, giving SLCC a man advantage. The advantage was short-lived however, when just one minute later a SLCC player was issued his second yellow card of the game and sent off, evening the sides once again. Despite the increased effort, SLCC was unable to finish any of its opportunities as Weber held on for the win.
Weber wore down SLCC by substituting three and four men at a time while SLCC was limited in what they could do with a roster of only 14. Taylor said his strategy going in to the weekend was, "Everyone was going to contribute."
Even though the loss was difficult, SLCC coach Enrique Valesquez said of his team, "I am proud of them. They came back and played the kind of soccer I knew they could."
Seven Utah teams competed in the two-day tournament, including Weber State, Salt Lake Community College, Utah State, University of Utah, Southern Utah, Dixie College and Utah Valley State College.
All of these teams are club teams and compete in the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) for the Collegiate Soccer Sport Club Championships.