NorCal NPL Match Day #4
| NPL Match Day #4 was played this past Sunday as most NPL teams played their State Cup opener on Saturday. Along with some great matches, we saw the return of cooler weather and even some rain during many of the matches played on Sunday. Both featured girls' games this week highlighted match-ups between teams in fall title contention. In a local derby, West Coast Wildfire shut out Livermore Fusion, 2-0, in the U17 NPL 1 East. In the U17 NPL 2 East, Clovis Crossfire held on to beat San Juan Blue, 2-1, to extend their lead atop the division. For the boys, matches with Champions League implications were featured. Mustang picked up a 4-1 win over Odyssey South to move into one of the top four spots in the U19 boys NPL 1 East, while in the U17 boys division, Atletico Santa Rosa picked up a crucial win over crosstown rivals Santa Rosa United, 3-1. |
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U17 BOYS NPL 1 WEST |
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| 10/2 | Atletico SR |  | 3-1 |  | Santa Rosa United |
| Lopez 2, Sanchez | Wyatt | ||||
| Atletico Santa Rosa secured an important three points in their Champions League chase, beating local rivals Santa Rosa United, 3-1, on Sunday morning at Elsie Allen High School. Santa Rosa United carried much of the earlier action and their best early chance came in the 10th minute when Carson Wyatt's header rattled off the bar. Santa Rosa United would rue their missed opportunities as Atletico took the lead in the 20th minute with Anthony Lopez converting from a cross off a set play. Santa Rosa United quickly responded, however, with another header from Wyatt which found the back of the net and the teams entered the break tied, 1-1. The second half started with both teams getting chances until Lopez struck again for Atletico from a well placed through ball from Elmer Pineda. After Lopez's brace, the game really opened up with both teams creating chances, but only Alan Sanchez was able to convert as he got loose behind the Santa Rosa United defense and finished with a well placed chip over the goalkeeper, sealing the 3-1 win for Atletico. | |||||
U19 BOYS NPL 1 EAST |
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| 10/2 | Mustang |  |  | Odyssey South | |
| Martin 2, McCambridge, Hourihan | Lara | ||||
| Mustang Barcelona pulled away from Odyssey South in their 4-1 win on Sunday afternoon at Diablo Vista Park. Odyssey South opened the match strong, creating several chances in the opening twenty minutes, but were unable to score. Mustang made them pay for not finding the back of the net as Nicholas McCambridge scored off a slick Mustang counter giving them a 1-0 lead which they held until halftime. In the second half, Odyssey pressed for an equalizer but again could not finish, and soon Mustang were up two when William Martin finished from close range. Martin found his second of the match moments later before Ryan Hourihan made it 4-0 with thirteen to play. Gonzalo Lara pulled one back for Odyssey late but it would not be enough to threaten. | |||||
U17 GIRLS NPL 1 EAST Click Here for Game Highlights Provided by West Coast |
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| 10/2 | Livermore Fusion |  |  | West Coast | |
| Clifton, Wallace | |||||
| In a highly anticipated derby, West Coast Wildfire outlasted crosstown rivals Livermore Fusion, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at Robertson Park. The first half saw few chances, as both defenses were strong and much of the match was played in the center of the field. After the break, West Coast went ahead in the 56th minute on Megan Clifton's beautifully chipped shot just over the outstretched fingertips of the Fusion goalkeeper. The game remained in the balance until West Coast scored the second goal in the 82nd minute after a beautifully played set piece. From a free kick, Rachel McCarthy played a short ball wide to Sara Shea, whose well placed pass found Kate Wallace who finished at the near post. The West Coast defense held strong for the remainder as MacKenzie Long and Brianne Radliff combined for the shutout. | |||||
U17 GIRLS NPL 2 EAST |
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| 10/2 | Clovis Crossfire |  |  | San Juan Blue | |
| Lucero, Perez | Roberts | ||||
| Clovis Crossfire took firm control of first place in the NPL 2 East division beating second place San Juan Blue, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Clovis East High School. Clovis flew out of the gates, taking a lead in the 9th minute on a goal by Kylie Lucero. The score remained at 1-0 until late in the second half when Taylor Perez doubled the lead for Crossfire in the 82nd minute. However, San Juan would not roll over and cut the lead in half in the 85th minute on a goal from Grace Roberts. San Juan seized the momentum with the goal but were unable to equalize in the final minutes. | |||||
