Cross, Laurentians have dominated Challenge Cup in the last quarter century

Between them, the Holy Crusaders and St. Lawrence Laurentians have won 23 of the last 25 Challenge Cup provincial men’s soccer titles. Mount Pearl won in 2003 and Marystown took the crown the year after that, but otherwise it’s been the Red and Gold of Holy Cross, who have eight championships or the Big Blue of St. Lawrence, who have claimed 15.

The last time someone other than Holy Cross or St. Lawrence won back-to-back Challenge Cups was 1991-92 when the Burin Eagles turned the tick.

The defending champion Laurentians and Holy Cross meet in the 1-2 Page playoff game as the 2017 Challenge Cup championship tournament begins 4:30 p.m. Friday at King George V Park. That will be followed by the 3-4 contest at 8 p.m. between Feildians and Mount Pearl. The 1-2 winner goes straight to Sunday’s final. The loser of that game will face the 3-4 winner in Saturday’s semifinal.

Challenge Cup champions the last 25 years

1992 - Holy Cross 1993 - St. Lawrence 1994 - Holy Cross 1995 - St. Lawrence 1996 - St. Lawrence 1997 - St. Lawrence 1998 - St. Lawrence 1999 - St. Lawrence 2000 - St. Lawrence 2001 - St. Lawrence 2002 - St. Lawrence 2003 - Mount Pearl 2004 - Marystown 2005 - St. Lawrence 2006 - St. Lawrence 2007 - St. Lawrence 2008 - St. Lawrence 2009 - Holy Cross 2010 - Holy Cross 2011 - Holy Cross 2012 - Holy Cross 2013 - St. Lawrence 2014 - Holy Cross 2015 – Holy Cross 2016 – St. Lawrence