Six teams capture State Division titles as U11-U13 State Cup concludes
After a nearly six-month long process in which over 1,600 teams from 200 clubs and 24,000 players participated, the U11-U13 NorCal Premier Soccer State Cup culminated this past weekend at Mary Grogan Park in Modesto.
Over the course of the two days, teams from all across Northern California battled in their respective divisions for a series of different titles, with each squad being recognized in the end for the amazing accomplishment of making it to Championship Weekend.
Here are your State Cup Final recaps for the State Division:
Boys:
U11: Los Gatos United 2 – Granite Bay FC 1
Looking for the club’s first-ever State Division title at the NorCal State Cup, Los Gatos United got off to a dream start against Granite Bay FC, scoring almost immediately off the game’s opening kickoff when Nico Magana slid to connect with a back post cross before Granite Bay had even touched the ball. But any hopes of a route were of as Granite Bay fought back and tied the game later in the first half after Evin Galvan calmly chipped a ball home. Early in the second half, United hit the woodwork twice, but were able to finally put the ball in the back of the net through a winner from Bryce Del Grande.
U12: San Jose Earthquakes 3 – MVLA 0
In a physical final that featured tons of attacking play from both sides, the San Jose Earthquakes came into their match against MVLA with their finishing boots on, scoring a trio of goals to take home the State Cup title. The Earthquakes opened up the scoring early when speedy forward Kiki Dougan was played through and chipped the ball into the back of the net before San Jose doubled their lead before the break on a strike from Mateo Colmenares. Dougan was on hand to provide the clinching goal as well, poking home a ball in the second half to give San Jose the trophy.
U13: Woodside SC 3 – Heritage SC 2
After Woodside SC and Heritage SC traded goals early in the match via Daniil Kolenko and Emmanuel Silvera, respectively, this match turned into something of a defensive slugfest until well into the second half. With not much time remaining, Woodside finally broke the deadlock, scoring on a long-range free kick from Finley O’Brien, only for Heritage to bounce back with a 20-yard rifle from Arturo Gonzalez II in stoppage time. The only final of the weekend to go to overtime was then decided by a Heritage own goal, giving Woodside the title.
Girls:
U11: IR Academy 1 – PSV Union 0
While PSV Union controlled much of the early play against IR Academy, even hitting the post early, chances were few and far between in this match. As both teams slugged it out in the middle of the field, the game appeared to be headed to overtime, only for PSV to win a late free kick. Union’s chance on the restart was deflected and fell to IR’s Rhea Moore, who took the ball the length of the field and punched it home for the only goal of the match.
U12: PSV Union 2 – Walnut Creek Surf 1
This final between PSV Union and Walnut Creek Surf featured some early fireworks from PSV, with Niyati Hazari hitting the back of the net in just the second minute of the game before Maya Patience doubled the Union lead five minutes later on a long-range blast. Still, despite the early goals, Walnut Creek persisted and got back into the game through a long-range blast of their own, this time coming from the foot of Daria Lukash. But the late effort proved to be not enough as PSV were able to run out the clock and claim the State Cup title.
U13: IR Academy 4 – SF Aftershocks 0
Looking for their third-straight State Cup title, IR Academy scored early and often against the SF Aftershocks, hitting the back of the net just six minutes into the game thanks to a clean finish from dangerous attacker Jazleen Bell. Following that goal, though, SF were able to stifle the Academy attack for the rest of the half, only for IR to score three times in the second half through Jalana Kimber, Gabrielle Mcintosh, and Bell again.
In addition to the State Division champions that were crowned, several other sides lifted trophies by winning their respective divisions in Modesto. Below is a list of those teams. Congrats to everyone involved and see you all next year!
