The 2016-17 NorCal NPL season kicked off last weekend with over 130 games throughout Northern California. The first weekend proved just how tough the NorCal NPL can be with several upsets and many close matches being played. In the U19 Boys NPL 1 division, defending NorCal NPL champions, Ballistic United Premier, were upset in their opener by Atletico Santa Rosa Leones, 3-2. In other boys action, defending US Club National Cup Champions, ECFC Real Salinas Galaxy were held to a 1-1 draw by Santa Clara Sporting in the 01 Boys NPL 1 West. On the girls side, CCSA Black started their title defense off in impressive fashion with a 4-1 win over Davis Legacy 99 in the U19 Girls NPL 1. Finally, CV San Jose Earthquakes and Diablo FC played to a 0-0 draw in a U17 Girls NPL 1 opener.
U17 GIRLS NPL 1 WEST
8-27
CV SJ Earthquakes
0-0
Diablo FC
CV San Jose Earthquakes and Diablo FC played to a tense 0-0 draw on Saturday morning at San Jose City College. The game saw two of the top defenses in the division face-off, resulting in very few chances for either team. Diablo FC goalkeeper and Cal Berkeley commit, Amanda Zodikoff, made a big 1v1 save in her one major test of the day. Diablo FC's best opportunity came from a Katelyn Beasely strike that went just wide. Both teams will be looking for three points in their next outing in what should be a very tight NPL 1 West Champions League race.
U16 BOYS NPL 1 WEST
8-27
SC Sporting
1-1
ECFC Salinas Galaxy
Nieves
Ayon
Santa Clara Sporting equalized late to salvage a point against defending NPL champions, ECFC Real Salinas, on Saturday afternoon at the Santa Clara Soccer Park. After a scoreless first half, Jerry Ayon scored in the 67th minute to give ECFC Real a late lead. Sporting quickly responded with Jesses Nieves scoring off a beautiful free-kick in the 72nd minute. Both teams had a chance or two prior to the end, however neither team could find the winner.
U19 BOYS NPL 1 WEST
8-27
BUSC Premier 98
2-3
Atletico SR Leones
Matin, Chiba
Gomez, Barragan, Gudino
The defending NorCal NPL Champions, Ballistic United, got off to a rough start, losing to Atletico Santa Rosa Leones (3-2) on Saturday afternoon at Val Vista. Ballistic held much of the early play, however, Atletico Santa Rosa scored the opener on a goal from Mario Gomez in the 32nd minute. After the goal, Atletico seized the momentum and scored another two goals prior to halftime with Rigoberto Barragan and Diego Gudion netting in the 39th and 40th minutes, respectively. After halftime, Ballistic regrouped and got back into the game with goals from Imran Mation (63rd minute) and Youki Chiba (66th minute) but were unable to find the equalizer as Atletico held on for the upset win.
U19 GIRLS NPL 1 A
8-27
CCSA Black 98
4-1
Davis Legacy 99
Crisp 2, Maldanado, Wristen
Lewis
CCSA Black began their title defense in impressive fashion with a 4-1 win over Davis Legacy 99 in their NorCal NPL opener on Saturday afternoon at Clovis East High School. CCSA had to come from a goal down as Davis scored the opener on a Sophia Lewis finish off a corner in the 6th minute. Despite going down early, CCSA fought back, quickly leveling the game with Brooke Crisp finishing off a corner from Tasha Harold in the 21st minute. Ana Maldanado's goal put CCSA ahead in the 31st minute with Crisp scoring her second moments later to double the lead prior to halftime. Davis continued to press to get back into the game, however, a goal from Raina Wristen sealed it for CCSA in the 73rd minute.
