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NPL Matchday #7 Recap

Just over a month remains before the NorCal College showcases in November, which feature the conclusion of most NPL leagues. With a plethora of college coaches expected in attendance to watch the large amount of talent coming out of Northern California, teams have precious little time to round into form and put their best foot forward at the event. The time is now to get three points to make sure to be in contention for the showcases.

Here are your NPL games of the week:

U16 Girls NPL 1 East

Mustang SC 0 – Rocklin FC 1

Goalscorer:

Rocklin: Casimir

In a matchup between first-place Mustang SC and middle-of-the-pack Rocklin FC, Bella Casimir scored the only goal of the game on a winding run up the middle to earn Rocklin all three points. For Mustang, it was the first time all year that they’ve dropped points, though they still sit in first place in the table, three points ahead of Rocklin.

U17 Boys NPL East

10/9: Sacramento United – Union Sacramento 1:30 p.m. @ Granite Regional Park

Heading into matchday #7, it’s all Sacramento at the top of the table in the U17 Boys NPL East. Sacramento United have a slight advantage in the standings with 12 points from five games, but Union Sacramento have just three points fewer and one fewer game played. Union have been impressive, though, in putting up a plus-seven goal differential so far. The winner of this weekend’s Sacramento derby goes to the top of the table, making it both a rivalry game and a game of massive importance.

U15 Girls NPL 1 East

10/9: Mustang SC – IR Academy 2:00 p.m. @ Sycamore Valley Park #3

Hosts Mustang SC have yet to play a league game this season for a variety of different reasons, but their inaugural match is a tough one. Formerly three-time defending state cup champions IR Academy are heading to Danville Saturday in the hopes of maintaining their perfect start to the year. IR have played two games so far, winning both — only goal differential is keeping the club out of the top spot in the U15 Girls NPL 1 East currently.

U14 Boys NPL West

10/9: San Jose Surf – Monterey County Soccer – ECFC Salinas 6:00 p.m. @ John Mise Park – FCBA

At first glance, the U14 Boys NPL West appears to be a two horse race between Monterey County Soccer – ECFC Salinas and Los Gatos United, each of whom have collected 13 points thus far on the season while scoring 24 or more goals. However, seventh-place San Jose Surf have played just two matches so far and played Los Gatos in a tough 2-0 loss. Surf should contend in this game and could later contend in the league with a positive result this weekend. Meanwhile, ECFC probably need all three points to keep pace with Los Gatos.