UFC Orange wins U-18 state championship

WEST JORDAN — The fact that Inter FC beat UFC Orange '86 in the preliminary rounds of this year's U-18 Utah Girls Club Championships doesn't even begin to tell the story of Orange's struggles this season. The team staggered to a 2-8 regular-season record and finished seventh out of 10 teams.

That detail alone made Saturday that much sweeter for Orange. Orange '86 overcame a 1-0 second-half deficit to beat Inter 3-2 in the championship match played at the West Jordan Soccer Complex.

Rebecca Schmidt scored twice and Rachel Callister tallied Orange's other goal in the win.

"They're awesome," Orange '86 coach Chuck Miller said of his girls. "They've had a rough season. They deserve the credit. It was their win."

Neither side managed to produce any goals in a first half that was dominated by Inter. Orange goalkeeper Emily Rogers made several impressive saves to keep the scoreline 0-0.

Rogers came off her line expertly in the 16th minute to deny Inter's Chelsea Arnell. Orange's 'keeper was forced off her line several times throughout the match.

Perhaps Inter's best chance of the first half came six minutes later when Audrey Booth headed a cross from the right touchline toward goal. Booth appeared to have Rogers beaten, but the Viewmont junior somehow managed to push the header over the bar.

"Her decisionmaking was key," Miller said.

Inter's constant pressure finally paid off early in the second half when forward Natalie Graham beat Rogers at the post to give Inter a 1-0 lead.

That advantage didn't phase Orange '86, which begin to press forward and create chances of their own.

"We told our players at halftime, 'Even if they score a goal, we've just got to stay focused and get back at them.' "

After Danika Paul sent a dangerous ball into the six-yard box in the 67th minute, Rebecca Schmidt had the final touch that equalized the game for Orange.

Just seven minutes later, Rachel Callister gave Orange '86 the lead off a beautiful play. From the top of the 18-yard box, Callister dribbled through the Inter defense and left Inter 'keeper McCall Smith with no chance, burying her shot to double the scoreline for Orange.

In the 81st minute, Schmidt scored her second goal and put Orange up 3-1 after Inter failed to clear the ball.

Graham scored her second goal of the game with time running out the match to bring inter within a goal at 3-2. However, Orange maintained its composer over the final minutes and successfully killed off the game.

"We came from the bottom of the group," Rogers said. "My team played so hard."

Orange '86 will be playing in the Regional Tournament in Spokane June 21-26.