After a one week break for Labor Day, NPL action continued this weekend, with some teams opening their seasons, while others were looking to establish themselves as early contenders for the spring’s Champions League. Though it’s early in the season, every game matters and teams cannot afford to drop points if they’re looking to make it back into the top division.

U15 GIRLS NPL 1 WEST

MVLA Barca 3, Marin FC Blue 1

MVLA Goals: Barbieri, Kane, Kraft
Marin FC Goal: Rembrandt

After missing out on a Champions League title by one point last year, MVLA came into their match against Marin FC as the favorites, but it was the underdogs who scored first just before halftime on a strike from Maya Rembrandt assisted by Yuma McCormack. But MVLA didn’t give in as Caroline Kane scored to level the game 11 minutes into the second half. Two minutes later, Joelle Jung set up Alex Kraft for the eventual winning goal before Alice Barbieri iced the game with five minutes left for a 3-1 win over Marin FC.

U15 BOYS NPL 1 EAST

Heritage SC 0, Turlock Tornados 0

Coming into Saturday’s Heritage – Turlock Tornados clash, neither side had conceded a goal yet in the NPL this season. Exiting the match, that proved to still be the case as the two squads drew 0-0, with goalkeeping play a huge factor in the tie. For Turlock, Angel Hernandez Ruiz made six saves, while Heritage’s Agustin Duenas saved four shots as the teams split the points.

U16 BOYS NPL 1 NORTH

Santa Rosa United 3, Napa Soccer Academy 0

SRU Goals: Picano, Rodriguez, Rojas

In a colossal matchup of undefeated teams, Santa Rosa United went on the road to face Napa Soccer Academy in a North Bay derby. While both teams came into the match as favorites to qualify for the Champions League, only one team shone through Saturday, with Santa Rosa putting three past Napa through Diego Picano, Oswaldo Rojas, and Nathan Rodriguez doing the damage to the visitors to the top of the table.

U15 GIRLS NPL 1 WEST

OV Toros Black 4, Pajaro Valley United 2

OV Toros Goals: Lema 3, Lorenzana
Pajaro Valley Goals: Vasquez, Yanez

In a true thriller over the weekend, OV Toros FC faced Pajaro Valley and each side showed why their attacks will be feared throughout the season. OV Toros’ Ailonnie Lorenzana set the tone for the match early with a looping shot from nearly 30 yards in just the 12th minute. While action stalled for 56 minutes following that, a flurry of five goals in the last 12 minutes set up a wild finish. Karlie Lema was the hero for the Toros, scoring a hat trick, while Gisselle Vasquez and Priscilla Yanez each scored as the game finished 4-2 in favor of OV.