Steamboat Springs — Two local soccer teams collected titles on the final day of the Steamboat Mountain Soccer tournament, which drew to a close Sunday in Steamboat Springs.

“There is a real sense of pride that comes along with winning your home tournament,” said Hobey Early, the Steamboat U19 boys coach.

Early’s team was one of two to bring home titles from this year’s tournament, which included 13 boys divisions and 11 girls divisions. The U11 team from Steamboat also claimed a championship.

The U11 Steamboat Navy boys soccer team included; in the front row, from left, Jackie Clemente, Andrew Kempers, Charlie Welch and Connor Chapman; and back row, from left, Erik Sandvick, Bryan Peterson, ​Cameron Daly, Jeremy Nolting, Cade Gedeon, Reece John and coach Austin Sheridan.

The U19 team, which was made up of high school players and a few recent graduates, opened the week by dominating pool play. The team picked up a 5-2 win over Pride Soccer Club Copa on July 14, a 2-0 win over Trebol Soccer Club on July 15 and a 3-0 win over Altitude Futbol Club on July 16.

On the final day of the tournament, July 17, the Steamboat team earned the right to play in the finals with a 3-2 win over Greeley in the semifinal game. On Sunday, the squad defeated United Soccer Club 3-1 to win the championship.

“The competition kept getting a little better with each step we took toward the finals,” Early said. “I think this was a special win for a lot of guys who have grown up playing in this tournament.”

But the U19 team was not the only local team to find success in the tournament, which drew 154 squads from across Colorado and a few from outside the state.

Steamboat’s U11 boys team also collected a title on Sunday playing nine-versus- nine in the Silver Division.

“I think things just sort of came together for these guys,” coach Austin Sheridan said. “We had seven different players score, and it was a real team effort throughout the tournament.”

Unlike the older divisions that play 11 players on each side, many of the younger divisions offered smaller-sided games played on a smaller field.

Sheridan said this helps younger players get more touches on the ball and develop the skills needed to play the game with 11 players on a larger field when they get older. He said it also allows players a chance to shoot and to score even when they are playing defense.

The U11 team topped the standings in pool play with wins over Altitude Futbol Club, BSC Blue from Missouri and the Real Colorado Edge Eagles. With just four teams in the division, the top two teams met in the finals to determine the champion.

In the championship game, the Steamboat team topped BSC Blue 4-1 to earn the title.

“There were a lot of quality teams in our division,” Sheridan said. “But they were the best by far.”

The U16 boys team advanced to the finals but lost to the Rocky Mountain Cougars in the finals, 2-1.

The Steamboat Mountain Tournament is a volunteer-run event and a fundraiser for the Steamboat Springs Youth Soccer Association.

To reach John F. Russell, call 970-871-4209, email jrussell@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @Framp1966