NPL Match Day #5
Nearing the midway point of the NPL season, gaps both widened and tightened in what was another weekend of teams playing hard for the points that could make or break their seasons. With only a few weeks of play remaining, another weekend of high-quality action was delivered all throughout Northern California.
Saturday, October 7th
U17 GIRLS NPL 1 EAST
CCSA Black 2, California Odyssey Red 0
CCSA Goals: Renovato 2
While the whole team played well in ensuring that Central California Soccer Academy (2-0-2) would remain unbeaten, the accolades will go to Alyssa Renovato and Alexa Patton. The former scored a pair of goals on either side of halftime, while the latter provided the final ball on each goal — a brace that saw California Odyssey (2-1) fall for the first time on the season and move out of first place.
Sunday, October 8th
U14 BOYS NPL 1 NORTH
SF Glens Evolution 4, SF Elite 2
Glens Evol Goals: Sierra 3, Tremillo
SF Elite Goals:
Sunday’s San Francisco derby saw the Glens come out on top of SF elite, and by doing so, improve their record to 3-1-0 on the season. Will Sierra was the star for the Glens, scoring a hat trick with an early goal and strikes on either side of halftime. But it was Daniel Tremillo who sealed the deal late for the visitors, scoring in the 61st minute to ensure that the Glens had bragging rights over the Bay.
U19 BOYS NPL 1 C
Star Academy 1, MVLA Dortmund Blue 0
Star Goal: Lau
In a match-up between two unbeaten sides, Star Academy saw bolstered their bid to upset front runners Sporting Santa Clara thanks to a 21st minute goal from Marcus Lau. Thanks to Lau and some tough defensive efforts, Star improved to 4-0-0 on the season, while MVLA dropped to 3-1-1 — a tough result for MVLA — but one that by no means knocked them out of Champions League contention.
U19 GIRLS NPL 2 WEST
Palo Alto Blue 00 1, Santa Cruz City Jaws 1
Palo Alto Goal: Zenger
SCC Jaws Goal: Lindley
In the U19 Girls NPL 2 West, two teams met unbeaten and stayed that way thanks to outstanding play from Palo Alto goalkeeper Breanna Sandoval (12 saves) and her opposite number in Santa Cruz netminder Sophia Magliato (10 saves). Together, they held the game scoreless for the first 75 minutes until Palo Alto broke the deadlock the following minute thanks to a strike from Mia Zenger. But Santa Cruz wouldn’t be denied a share of the points as a cross from Anika Lindley found the feet of her sister, Clara, who slotted the ball home in the 86th minute.