National rankings and more

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) released its latest national and regional rankings on Tuesday. Utah was well represented in the Region VI poll, with three teams making it into the top 15. Alta checked in at the no. 1 spot in the poll. Davis also cracked the top 10 at 10th overall. Lehi checked in at no. 14.

Alta was the only Utah team to make it into the national poll, but it is the highest ranked school West of the Mississippi River. The Hawks are ranked 4th overall nationally – trailing only The Pennington School (Pennington, N.J.), McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.) and Acton-Boxborough Regional (Acton, Mass). It is Alta’s highest national ranking since they ranking 2nd overall after winning the 5A title in 2006.

Soccer fans in the Salt Lake Valley will have a chance to witness Alta square off with another top 10 Region VI team this Friday when Montgomery High comes to town. Montgomery – a school from Santa Rosa, California – is ranked sixth in the region. This is the third consecutive year the two teams have played. Alta claimed a 4-1 victory in 2006, while Montgomery prevailed 3-1 a year ago.

The match is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start time at Alta High School. It is actually part of a doubleheader for Montgomery. The Vikings will also face Lone Peak on Saturday. That game will also be played at Alta High School, with a noon start time.