NorCal State Cup Finals Weekend Set for U9/U10 Teams as U11/U12 Competition Continues
In a competition that began nearly three months ago, with each team playing seven games up to this point, it’s finally time for Finals Weekend of the U9/U10 State Cup as teams from all across Northern California will gather this weekend at two different locations to determine each division’s champion.
Overall 104 different title winners will be celebrated, with those in the State Division, NorCal Premier Soccer’s highest level of play, earning the right to call themselves NorCal’s true state champions.
Additionally, each finalist in the State Division will earn a berth in next spring’s California Cup, which pits the NorCal State Cup finalists against their counterparts from SOCAL Soccer League.
“Every team remaining in State Cup has earned their place through hard-fought group play and months of dedication,” said NorCal U9-U12 State Cup Coordinator John Stoppelmann. “As players take the field for the semifinals and finals, they do with the support of their teammates, families, and communities, creating an exciting and memorable championship atmosphere.”
The nearly 900 teams who entered the competition, an increase by roughly 100 from last year, began play with club-hosted group stage games in late August.
Following the first group stage’s three matches, teams were then reseeded into a second stage of group play in order to ensure that each squad played in as many competitive contests as possible.
These NorCal-hosted matches were followed by the quarterfinal round, the first elimination game of the process.
All winning teams from the quarterfinals then advanced to Finals Weekend, which will be played at Davis Legacy Soccer Complex and Granite Regional Park in Sacramento. All finals will be held in Davis.
“Every team that has made it this far should be proud of their accomplishments,” Stoppelmann said. “The U9/U10 Finals Weekend is one of the most festive events we have on the calendar. We at NorCal can’t wait to see all the teams compete this weekend.”
U11/U12 State Cup Resumes
In addition to the U9 and U10 age groups, the U11 and U12 divisions will also be in action this weekend with the boys Gold, Silver, and Bronze divisions playing round of 16 and quarterfinal matchups.
Matches this Saturday and Sunday will be played at Mistlin Sports Park in Ripon and Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center, with all quarterfinal winners advancing to Finals Weekend.
The U11 and U12 Gold, Silver, and Bronze divisions on the girls side will participate in the same process on November 14 and 15 at Granite Regional Park and Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, Robertson Sports Park in Livermore, and San Juan Soccer Complex in Rancho Cordova.
Finals Weekend for the boys and girls will be held December 5 and 6 at Placer Soccer Complex in Roseville.
For more information on the NorCal State Cup, click here.
