After an amazing first weekend, most teams returned to action over Match Day #12 this past weekend. It was the first major weekend of boys Champions League matches with most teams kicking off their campaigns. Diablo FC used a pair of late goals to upend Impact in a U19 match while Force South held on for a 0-0 draw with Turlock FC in the U14 division. Although it was a lighter weekend on the girls side, Force, came out on top over SF Elite in a key U16 Champions League match.
U19 BOYS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
3/18
Diablo FC
2-0
Impact
Jiron, Bedig
After beating Impact by one goal in the fall season, Diablo FC continued its good form against Impact, winning 2-0 this past weekend at Mt Diablo High School. Despite the scoreline, Impact nearly stole a result as only two late Diablo goals -- an 87th minute strike from Omar Jiron and an 89th minute penalty from Justin Bedig -- prevented Impact from coming away with a point. With the win, Diablo FC, remains one of the early favorites to take home the NorCal NPL title.
U16 GIRLS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
3/18
Force
4-0
SF Elite Academy
Meier, Kooiman, Torres, Sanders
It's early in the season, but Force already appear to be a major contender in the U-16 girls Champions League, as they raced to a 4-0 victory this past weekend. Part of the reason Force have been so successful is their depth in attack, with four different players scoring in this contest. Olivia Meier started things off with the eventual winner, but was joined on the scoresheet by Elizabeth Kooiman, Jules Torres, and Jessica Sanders, with the assists also coming from three different players: Mia Fontana, Ella Wright, and Rebekah Caldez.
U14 BOYS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
3/18
Force South
0-0
Turlock Tornados
Force South’s first Champions League first match of the year ended with a good result: a 0-0 draw against the Turlock Tornados (1-1-1), who were already contesting their third match of the young season. Turlock controlled the majority of the play, hitting 10 shots in total on target, but goalkeeper Tyler Reavis saved all 10 to help preserve a single point for South.