U16 Boys State Cup Finals Recap

U16 Boys State Final

Lamorinda United 1, SJ Earthquakes 0

Man of the Match: Luis Felix

As the NPL Champions League winners, SJ Earthquakes PDA came into the match as the clear favorites, especially given that Lamorinda United had competed in the NPL 1 in the spring.

But cup play is all about a cinderella story giant killing, and that’s certainly what happened in this match.

Straight off the kickoff the Earthquakes sent numbers forward and nearly scored in the opening minutes, but though the Lamorinda defense bent, it certainly didn’t break.

San Jose had their best chance of the match in the 47th minute, but Lamorinda goalkeeper Luis Felix produced perhaps the save of the tournament, a full-stretch diving save of a ball destined for the upper confines of his goal.

Thanks to Felix, Lamorinda stayed in a game in which they produced fewer chances than the Earthquakes. However, the chances Lamorinda did produce, were of higher quality, especially one in the 64th minute in which a player cut the ball back to Victor Quintanilla, who stepped back near the penalty spot and finished into side netting, giving Lamorinda a 1-0 lead.

San Jose had a chance late for an equalizer, but Felix again saved his side, producing a solid stop on a tricky shot inside his own box, giving Lamorinda the first true upset of the finals.