U12 Strikers win Gem State Challenge in Boise
(Photo by CYNTHIA SCHMIT) Cruz Kurtz, right, dribbles in final game of the Gem State Challenge recently, scoring two goals to help the Strikers U12 boys win another championship.
SANDPOINT — The Strikers U12 boys team continued its strong fall season by downing teams from around the state to win the Gem State Challenge recently in Boise, capping a winning season.
Beating teams from Boise, Caldwell, Blackfoot and McCall at the Challenge, the Strikers have now won two out of the three tournaments this season, placing second in the other.
The Strikers, ranked No. 7, beat No. 9 Caldwell 3-1 in the opening round, then went on to defeat an elite Blackfoot club 4-1 in the Final. Cruz Kurtz scored two goals in the final, with Caiden Gion and Callahan Waters each scored one goal in the win.
The Strikers outscored their opponents 18-3 in the tourney, and 11 out of the 13 players scored through tournament. High scorers for tournament were Gion and Waters with three goals each.
“Not only do we have a really athletic group, our boys have put in a lot of hard work to get to where they are,” said coach Jameson Longanecker.