By Julie Slama | [email protected]

While Skyline High may not have won the state unified soccer title, they are still winners in the sport.

After playing in a regional tournament, the team competed in the state playoffs Sept. 30 alongside more than 30 high school unified soccer teams in the area. The team fell short of qualifying to play in the state championship game.

Unified soccer, a program of Special Olympics Utah in partnership with the Utah High School Activities Association, allows student-athletes with and without disabilities to play on the same team.

While the teams are coed and play competitively five versus five on a smaller sized soccer field, the focus is on development of skills, friendship, understanding and sportsmanship as often players on either team will cheer for one another.

Other area high school teams that competed in the soccer championships or playoffs include Alta, Brighton, Jordan, Hillcrest, Hunter, Murray and Riverton.