OGDEN -- The Weber State men's soccer club captured the NCCS National Soccer Championship late Saturday at the NCCS tournament in Phoenix.
The Wildcats -- a perennial club soccer power -- won their second title in three season with a 4-3 penalty kicks win over Missouri in the title game.
WSU also won the club national title in 2002.
What makes this team special to the Top of Utah is that the entire 22-man roster comes from communities in Weber and Davis counties.
"We had a really good season, which starts in August, and with a majority of returning players from the 2009 and 2010 team," WSU coach Will Rader said. "These guys seemed more determined than ever, very focused."
Weber State finished the season with a 23-2-1 overall record.
WSU defeated Deleware (3-1) and Minnesota (2-1) to earn a high seed entering bracket play. The Wildcats then defeated Connecticut (1-0) and Cal Poly (3-0) to advance out of the quarterfinals.
WSU dominated North Carolina 3-0 in the semifinals. Against Missouri, the match went through a scoreless regulation, followed by overtime. WSU won the PK session 4-3.
The Wildcats' Cord Stimpson was named tournament MVP, and was joined on the all-tournament team by Clay Perry, Josh Stuart, and Aaron McKinley. Jeff Rogers was awarded the most outstanding goalkeeper award.
WSU's two losses were to UC Santa Barbara and defending champion Colorado, both one-goal defeats.
"We don't like losing. This group was committed to winning out," Rader said. "Cord definitely deserved the MVP."
Comments