NorCal College Showcase: U16 Title and Promotion Races
Among some of the hundreds of games to be played this weekend at the NorCal Spring College Showcase in Davis are a series of important matchups that will determine league titles, potential promotions, and relegation battles.
In what’s expected to be an exciting series of matches, NorCal Premier Soccer is ramping up its coverage of the showcase by previewing all the divisions in which there’s something left to play for.
Today we begin with the U16 age group, where the top four teams in the ECNL-RL will earn a spot in the playoffs, while the top two sides in each NPL division secure promotion and each first place club in the NPL 1 will get an invite to the NPL National Finals. Additionally, the bottom two teams will suffer relegation.
Boys ECNL-RL
On the boys side, De Anza Force have already locked up the title, while Turlock Academica Jrs and SF United FC are guaranteed spots in the playoffs. Sitting on 19 points, Stanford Strikers need just a draw in their Saturday match against Diablo Valley Wolves to secure their postseason status. However, if they lose and Los Gatos United beat SF United on Saturday and Diablo on Sunday, Los Gatos could jump into that fourth spot provided they also make up the difference of seven in goal differential between them and Stanford.
Girls ECNL-RL
For the girls, Stanislaus United are already champions, having won all 12 of their matches on the season. Joining them in the playoffs will be Walnut Creek Surf and North Coast FC. The last berth will come from one of either South Valley United or San Francisco Vikings. South Valley currently are on 18 points, better than San Francisco’s 17, and have a game in hand. United will face North Coast FC on Saturday and Walnut Creek on Sunday needing just a win to advance to the postseason. Meanwhile, SF can advance with a win and South Valley failing to win either game. If the Vikings draw and South Valley lose both games, it will come down to goal differential.
Boys NPL 1
While Modesto Ajax United have already secured the title and promotion to next fall’s ECNL-RL, the second promotion spot will go to one of four different teams: either Clovis Crossfire, Walnut Creek Surf, IR Academy, or Livermore Fusion. The first three are currently tied on points, while Livermore are three behind but with a game in hand.
Girls NPL 1
In our first division in which the championship is still on the line, Mustang SC currently sit in first with 14 points, but haven’t secured even a top-two spot yet. California Odyssey are just behind with 13 but play both Saturday and Sunday. If they win both games, Odyssey will claim the title regardless of what happens in the Mustang-Los Gatos United match. Speaking of Los Gatos, they’re currently in fifth with nine points, but aren’t out of the title race and can win with two victories and other results going their way. Also in contention are MVLA, who have 11 points.
Boys NPL 2
Albion SC Merced have already claimed the U16 Boys NPL 2 title and promotion for the fall, however, second place and seventh place are separated by just three points. The only one of those sides that can’t earn promotion is Valley Surf, due to goal differential, but any Almaden FC, Eastshore Alliance, Pajaro Valley United, Legends FC, or AC Marin could earn the second spot in what’s expected to be a wild weekend of action.
Girls NPL 2
While Davis Legacy haven’t secured the Girls NPL 2 championship yet, they’ve at least earned promotion thanks to collecting 14 points from their six games so far. With a win over SF United FC Saturday, Davis will claim the title. Furthermore, if FC Bay Area Surf (13 points) lose or tie, Legacy will also win the championship. Due to holding the head-to-head tiebreaker over third place San Juan SC, Bay Area have already secured promotion in addition to Davis.
Boys NPL 3
With 19 points from seven games, Silicon Valley Eagles are the U16 Boys NPL 3 champions. Second place Madera United will join the Eagles in promotion should they win their Saturday game against De Anza Force. Meanwhile, if Madera draws or loses, San Francisco Glens can move up leagues with a victory. De Anza are six points behind Madera but still have an outside chance if they win both games and other results go their way.
Girls NPL 3
In what looks set to be an exciting finish, the top four in the Girls NPL 3 all are in contention for the title and each side plays another from that group. First place Association Football Club (13 points) will take on fourth place Walnut Creek Surf (10 points). Meanwhile, Pajaro Valley United and Folsom Lake Surf, who each have 11 points, also face each other. If AFC wins, the title is theirs, but as of now they haven’t even secured promotion. This race will go down to the wire Saturday.
