With nearly a full slate of games at various locations throughout the State, the NPL resumed this past weekend with a plethora of close games contested by some of the best players in Northern California. While some teams started off the season rusty, others couldn’t stop putting the ball in the back of the net, with several sides making an early case as favorites for the Champions League title.

NPL SCHEDULES AND RESULTS: Boys, Girls

Here are your game of the week recaps:

NPL MATCHDAY — U16 Boys Champions League

Atletico Santa Rosa 0 – Union Sacramento 1

Goalscorer Union: Ionescu

Despite a plethora of chances created and tidy bits of skill from both hosts Atletico Santa Rosa and visiting Union Sacramento, neither side could break through in their Champions League openers. That is until early in the second half when Paolo Ionescu made a near post run and flicked the ball past the Santa Rosa netminder for the only goal of the match. Despite sending waves of numbers into the attack, Atletico couldn’t find an equalizer and were forced to watch Union drive away from the North Bay with all three points.

KEY MATCHES

U15 Girls Champions League

Marin FC 0 – San Juan Spirits 2

Goalscorers San Juan: Klos, Lieber

Scoring on either side of halftime, San Juan Spirits continued their unbeaten run to continue their Champions League campaign, where they managed to stay just off the pace of the top of the division with 17 points from seven games. Alex Klos netted the eventual game-winner in the 25th minute, hitting the back of the net on a Grace Marshall corner kick for the only goal that San Juan would need. Marin FC desperately attempted to get back in the game from there, but Emily Lieber put the game away 20 minutes into the second period to give San Juan all three points.

U16 Girls Champions League

MVLA 8 – Pleasanton Rage 0

Goalscorers MVLA: Montoya (4), Cunningham (2), O’Brien, Kohler

Extending their perfect start to their season, MVLA got one step closer to claiming the U16 Girls Champions League title thanks to an 8-0 win over Pleasanton Rage this past weekend. Allie Montoya scored four goals to help pace MVLA, while Maddie Cunningham bagged a brace and Leah O’Brien and Layne Kohler each added a solitary strike. The win gave MVLA a four-point cushion at the top of the table with two games in hand on the Rage.

U16 Boys Champions League

California Odyssey 0 – Spurs FC 1

Goalscorers: Spurs FC: Olivas

A tight contest between the newly-rebranded Spurs FC and California Odyssey was scoreless until late, with both sides looking like they’d be forced to settle for a draw in their Champions League openers. But then came a moment of brilliance for Spurs, as Jaren Olivas scored on a free kick in the 69th minute before Spurs FC goalkeeper Irving Toledo Sanchez made a series of quality saves to help see out the 1-0 result.