It’s now May and only a few games remain before the NorCal College Showcase, meaning that we’re now into the stretch run in spring league. Several titles are up for grabs this weekend, while in some divisions, teams are looking towards that final push to help vault them to the top of the table.
Here are your NPL/ECNL-RL games of the week:
U13 Boys ECNL-RL
5/4
Walnut Creek Surf
5:00 p.m. @ Arbolado 1
SF United FC
With many of the matches in the books in the U13 Boys ECNL-RL, there appears to be a three horse race for the title between SF United FC, South Valley United, and Walnut Creek Surf. SF United have won all of their games so far, but are just three points ahead of third-place Walnut Creek, who host the San Francisco side this weekend.
U16 Girls ECNL-RL
5/5
Stanislaus United
10:00 a.m. @ Ballenitas Park #1
North Coast FC
With a perfect 10-0-0 start to the season, Stanislaus United are just four points away from officially locking up the U16 Girls ECNL-RL title with four games remaining. Standing in their way this weekend is third-place North Coast FC, who sit 11 points behind Stanislaus but have the quality to give the Central Californian team a tough match. The two sides met in the first game of the season, with Stanislaus claiming a 4-2 victory.
U19 Boys ECNL-RL
5/5
Ceres Rush
5-0
San Ramon FC
While Eric Verduzco got Ceres Rush on the board early with a 15 minute strike, it was a pair of his teammates who sealed the result for the Central Californian side against San Ramon FC. Both Brian Valenzuela and Alejandro Garcia bagged braces in the match, helping Ceres to a 5-0 victory.
U15 Girls ECNL-RL
5/5
San Juan South
3:00 p.m. @ Ballenitas Park #1
Stanislaus United
The rematch of last year's State Cup final is also essentially a title game in the U15 Girls ECNL-RL as both San Juan South and Stanislaus United enter the weekend tied on points with 27. The league can't be officially won this weekend, but a victory for either team would go a long way towards bolstering their championship hopes. The two sides also met back in September, with Stanislaus prevailing via a 1-0 scoreline.