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For those not familiar with this Athens County tradition, it seems to grow each year and has become quite a big deal. The teams play home and away each year with the second game being for the Cup. A tie in the cup game means the team in possession of the Cup keeps it for another year.

Recently, Athens has dominated in the first game of the year then Coach Fauber of Alexander packs in the defense in the second game and appears to play for the tie. You have to give the coach and the Alexander team credit, they play hard, they play smart and have retained the Cup for many years.

Should be a great crowd with lots of "enthusiasm". One of the better high school soccer showcases in southeastern Ohio!

pkp76 wrote:For those not familiar with this Athens County tradition, it seems to grow each year and has become quite a big deal. The teams play home and away each year with the second game being for the Cup. A tie in the cup game means the team in possession of the Cup keeps it for another year.

Recently, Athens has dominated in the first game of the year then Coach Fauber of Alexander packs in the defense in the second game and appears to play for the tie. You have to give the coach and the Alexander team credit, they play hard, they play smart and have retained the Cup for many years.

Should be a great crowd with lots of "enthusiasm". One of the better high school soccer showcases in southeastern Ohio!

Packing the defense is actually untrue and taking away from those who deserve credit. The reality is that Athens comes with such force, competence, and commitment that they pin Alexander in their own half. I can say with certainty it is not an Alexander ploy to play for a tie, it is actually Athens' out and out desire to take the game that gives the impression of a packed in D.

The difference between the games is experience. Both teams have made adjustments to exploit weaknesses and address strengths. I can understand how it would leave the viewer with the same impression you have.

The crowd's "enthusiasm" is fantastic, no question. I think it is one of a few games circled on both schedules as soon as thay are released.

As a side note, I think Athens has had the cup every year but the last 4? Can anyone back that up?

A little history of the cup:

Started in 1996 by a few Athens parents in association with a few Alexander parents. At this point, Athens and Alexander usually played in the first game and last game of the season every year. The last meeting became the cup game and was a good preparation for the start of sectionals and really created a playoff like atmosphere.

Athens won the inaugural Challenge Cup game 4-3 at Alexander and held onto the cup for nine years before Alexander won 1-0 at Athens in 2005 to win the cup for the first time.

Challenge Cup Winners:
1996-2004: Athens
2005-Current Holders: Alexander

The format certainly heavily favors the holders, since a tie results in the holders keeping the cup. It should be noted that Athens and Alexander have both held onto the cup in this manner at times (I think but am not sure that Athens held on with a tie in 1997, 2003, and 2004) with the only win for Alexander in the second game coming in 2005 and the rest have been ties since.

I don't believe Alexander has won the first game of the season between the two since 2003? and Athens hasn't won the second meeting between the two teams since 2002. The format of only counting the second game is a bit funky, an aggregate score of the two games would probably be more appropriate (like European knock-out rounds), but the historical tradition continues anyway. By the way, I don't just say this from an Athens viewpoint... actually Alexander would have won the cup years earlier if the aggregate format was used.

A great rivalry of the only two boys' soccer programs in Athens county and a fun atmosphere to come out and be a part of.

Athens regains possession of the cup, beating Alex 3-0.

Athens swept the Spartans on the night, as Athens won the girls game as well 1-0.

Congrats to the Athens boys on winning the Challenge Cup. Great job!!!