The following is sponsored by Utah Youth Soccer Association.
Bonneville Jr High was the home to our Game of the Week as 16U Impact took on Utah Storm. In the highest scoring Game of the Week of the season, Utah Storm went home 4-2 winners.
Utah Storm, formerly known as a Forza South team, has been in the State Cup finals or semifinals for the last 4 seasons as well as being regular participants in the Desert Premier League. The team looked the part of a serious title contender throughout the game.
The Impact team is back in the Premier 1 bracket this season after being in Premier 2 last season. Many of the players have been coached by head coach Nermin Sasivarevic and are looking forward to the new season and training hard for the challenge of Premier 1.
The game was fast paced and action packed and there easily could have been twice the number of goals if both teams were a little more clinical with their chances. Each team squandered breakaways, hit posts, and saw great chances saved by outstanding defense.
With that being said 4-2 is still an amazing game to watch and featured some truly incredible plays. Both teams looked to play the beautiful game but were equally dangerous on the counter attack.
The first goal of the game occurred when Austin Wallace was sprung on a counter and buried a chance 1 v 1 against the Impact keeper. It was soon 2-0 in favor of Utah Storm when Zach Stanton followed his original shot saved by Jackson Rees and put the rebound into the back of the net.
Impact coach Nermin Sasivarevic got into his team at halftime and they came out firing dominating the beginning of the second half. It resulted in a tremendous goal by Kenan Odobasic, fighting a stomach bug, and got Impact right back into the game.
Both teams kept up the attack with 3 more goals, 2 by Utah Storm and 1 by Impact. Zach Liffreth and Ian Nielsen scored for Storm, the latter goal putting the game comfortably away. Although a late goal by super sub Max Tokhtuev made things interesting.
The second half was also highlighted by a penalty kick save made by Jackson Rees.
All in all an outstanding match to watch and one that hopefully is a sign of the beautiful game going to be played by both teams all year.
More info: http://www.utahyouthsoccer.net/
