Goals, goals, and more goals. That was the story from NPL Matchday #8, where teams fighting for Champions League spots refused to sit behind the ball and defend. Instead, squads sent numbers forward in an effort to put the ball in the back of the net on what was yet another exciting docket of games.

Saturday, November 4th

U14 GIRLS NPL 1 West

MVLA White 2, Palo Alto 2

MVLA Goals: Steadman 2
Palo Alto Goals: Gutierrez, Lee

This past weekend’s match between second-place MVLA (3-0-1) and third-place Palo Alto (2-1-4) was always going to come down to the wire with two top defensive sides facing each other. While Mia Steadman scored just eight minutes into the match to take the lead for MVLA, Palo Alto fought back with a goal in the 46th minute from Kiara Gutierrez and a strike in the 63rd minute from Maddilyn Lee. As Palo Alto looked to take all three points, Steadman again proved the hero, scoring 10 minutes from time to ensure that the squads would share the points.

U14 BOYS NPL 1 North

Atletico Santa Rosa 4, Diablo FC 2

Atletico Goals: James, Chavez, Barragan, Alvarado
Diablo FC Goals: Hernandez, Rodriguez

In a game in which either side could have helped their Champions League hopes with a win, it was Atletico Santa Rosa (5-1) who made the most of their chances, scoring early and often to come out with a 4-2 victory over Diablo FC (4-3). Knighten James scored for the hosts early, before Brian Chavez added a second just before halftime. Alexander Barragan made it 3-0 early in the second half before Juan Pablo Hernandez and Dominick Rodriguez each struck for Diablo to bring the game within reach. As the visitors sent numbers into the attack in search of a tying goal, though, Adan Alvarado ended the game one minute from time with the decisive fourth goal of the game.