NPL Weekly: September 8th-9th Recap
With most teams having the previous weekend off due to Labor Day, the NPL season resumed this weekend with several key matches being played across the state. It was another excellent weekend of action in the Golden State. Here are your games of the week from September 8th.
NPL MATCHDAY
U17 Boys NPL 1
Lamorinda United 2 – California Odyssey Red 2
Lamorinda Goals: Guzman, Wyatt
Odyssey Goals: Qwn Goal, Shimamoto
In a matchup between top-of-the-table sides Lamorinda SC and California Odyssey, the former squad appeared to have the advantage, scoring through Adrian Guzman and Mazi Wyatt almost immediately after the opening whistle. And though Lamorinda led 2-0 at the half, an own goal to start the second period and then an 86th minute strike from Nathan Shimamoto gave the Odyssey a share of the points, ensuring that both teams would leave the weekend with four points from two games.
KEY MATCHES
U17 Girls Champions League
Elk Grove Soccer 5 – MVLA 2
Elk Grove Goals: Sidtikun 2, Tallent-Burlenson, Ceja, Mendoza
MVLA Goals: Quinn 2
As both sides came into this match unbeaten, it looked as MVLA had the upper hand over Elk Grove Soccer as the former squad twice led in the match. But then Elk Grove goals from Jocelyn Tallent-Burlenson, Kassandra Ceja, Tianna Sidtikun — her second of the match — and Natalie Mendoza put the game out of reach, giving Elk Grove a 5-2 victory that gave the victors a perfect 2-0 start to their season.
U15 Boys NPL 1
Placer United 2 – San Juan SC Lightning 2
Placer Goals: Zantout, Goehring
San Juan Goals: Nevin, Strangio
This Placer United – San Juan SC Lightning matchup turned into a tale of two halves as Placer scored twice early to go up 2-0 at the half, only for San Juan to come back with a double of their own in the second period, giving both sides a share of the points. The result gave Placer their only point of the season thus far, while San Juan moved to two points.
U19 Girls Champions League
Central California Soccer Alliance 3 – California Odyssey 2
CCSA Goals: Smith, Renovato, Stewart
Odyssey Goals: Anguiano, Calderon
In the Fresno Derby, Central California Soccer Alliance upended California Odyssey, scoring a 3-2 victory that will leave the Odyssey with a bad taste in their mouths. For CCSA, it was Alyssa Renovato who pulled the strings, setting up a Sydney Smith goal before scoring one of her own. Colbi Stewart put the game away with another strike.
