OLYMPIQUE MONTREUX OVERWHELMS TEAM XCEL 5-0

By Pierre d'Estaim
Sports Writer

Kaysville, UT (League News Service (LNS) August 8 -- Ricky Johnson scored twice and Leslie “Tiger” Fitzpatrick tallied on his debut as Olympique Montreux clinched a berth in the Daynes Challenge Cup by beating Team Xcel 5-0 on Tuesday at the Davis Applied Technology Center.

The large victory put OM into a dominating position for the semifinal game this coming Saturday at West Jordan Soccer Complex when the side takes on the winner of the lions of  Pan World FC who defeated Utah F.C.  this evening.

In Tuesday's other Daynes Challenge Cup game, Park City Newpark faced Odyssey Web.

Chad Gilbert scored with a twelve yards bounding shot in the 13th minute after good work by playmakers Ken Barton and Nate Murphy who is having an MVP season so far.

Marksman Sergio Vasquez came close to scoring a few times but Xcel's defense followed him closely and played him tightly.  Ricky Johnson scored on a header in the 38th minute.

In the second half, Gilbert turned playmaker when he served a great pass to JT Cracroft in the 48th minute. Cracroft made sure not to waste his chance, having not been seen since the Park City Tournament a month ago.

“JT never lets us down. We expect great things from him. He needs to find a way to make it to practice to justify his selection in the team,” said Bel-Ami, OM's manager.

In the 63rd minute Tiger took the ball from midfield, controlled it pass three onrushing Xcel players, and placed the ball expertly in the upper right corner of Xcel's net for the 4th goal.

Johnson got his second goal in the 79th, starting a run from about 25 yards out and firing as he closed in. The keeper bravely pushed the shot out, but true to his reputation, Johnson pounced on the rebound and found the net to close the scoring.

OM's defense did a good job, with Captain Todd Miller and Iron Man Mike Rogers repelling all attacks while John McQuarrie and Jeremy Jones patrolled the flanks.

A more vocal Keeper Aaron Bruderer ensured the shoot out.

“Our preseason games have helped us be more match ready than in past season openers.  Indeed the good job Todd Miller is doing with the lads in practice is paying off handsomely.  Todd is a great technical director,” beamed Bel-Ami.

“Miller is good for us.”