U11-U13 #NorCalStateCup Semifinals Recap

After a long journey full of goals, saves, and upsets, just four teams remain in each division of the U11-U13 NorCal State Cup ahead of this weekend’s semifinal and final rounds at Mary Grogan Park in Modesto.

While some of the other divisions in the U11-U13 State Cup have already been decided, for teams playing at the State and Premier levels, the action comes to a culmination Saturday and Sunday in the Central Valley.

Clubs began their quest to lift the trophy all the way back in August when group stage play began before fighting through a series of tough tests in the knockout rounds over the past few months.

Overall, 1,078 teams took part in the competition over the six month period.

Semifinal play will begin Saturday, with each winning team advancing to Sunday’s finals. In addition to the State Division champions, considered the overall State champion in their respective age groups, NorCal will anoint winners at 35 different levels.

Each day leading up to the event, NorCal will preview the State division games starting with U11 on Wednesday, the U12’s on Thursday, and the U13’s on Friday.

During the competition, NorCal’s partners in Veo have recorded several matches, which they will continue to do this weekend in Modesto. To watch full games from select matches in the earlier rounds and recordings of the semifinals and finals after they’re played, click here.

To view all schedules and. scores, click here.

Parking for the event costs $5. For a complete list of rules and regulations at Mary Grogan, click here.

Here are your State Division recaps:

U11 Boys State Semifinal
2/4	Bay Area Surf Pre MLS		2-1		Bay Area Surf Black
In a matchup between two Surf teams from the same club, Bay Area Surf Pre MLS booked a spot in the final by defeating Bay Area Surf Black 2-1. Black scored first, but were unable to prevent a comeback that put Pre MLS into the title game.
U11 Boys State Semifinal
2/4	Santa Clara Sporting		2-0		Marin FC
The matchup between Santa Clara Sporting and Marin FC proved to be one of the closer games in the U11 semifinals. It wasn't until Santa Clara scored 45 minutes into the game that either side was able to break the deadlock. From there, Marin FC pressed for an equalizer only for Sporting to score in the last minute of the match.
U11 Girls State Semifinal
2/4	MVLA		1-1 (1-2 on kicks from the mark)		Ajax United
In a matchup between two youth powerhouses from very different parts of the state, Ajax United defeated MVLA in a penalty shootout to advance to the final. Ajax goalkeeper Evelynn Strong was the hero on the day, saving four kicks from the mark to help her side stay alive in the competition.
U11 Girls State Semifinal
2/4	Mustang SC		3-0		Rocklin FC
Continuing their strong run of form, Mustang SC defeated Rocklin FC 3-0 to qualify for Sunday's U11 Girls State Cup final. Mustang scored one early before finishing off the game strong with goals 12 minutes and one minute before the end of the match.

U12 Boys State Semifinal
2/4	South Valley United		6-0		Ballistic United
South Valley United continued their tear through the knockout stages of the competition Saturday, defeating Ballistic United 6-0 to advance to the final. The goals came early and often for South Valley, who now just have one more match to win to claim the State title.
U12 Boys State Semifinal
2/4	Bay Area Surf		4-1		Folsom Lake Surf
In a Surf vs Surf matchup, the club from the Bay Area proved slightly better than the one from Folsom Lake to surf their way to the final. Maximus Prieto-Duarte led the way for Bay Area, scoring twice to help his side to a 4-1 victory.
U12 Girls State Semifinal
2/4	MVLA		2-1		Pleasanton RAGE
MVLA scored just minutes into the game before doubling their lead in the first half to take a 2-0 advantage into the break against Pleasanton RAGE. While RAGE were able to hit back with a strike early in the second half, the comeback couldn't find its second goal.
U12 Girls State Semifinal
2/4	San Juan SC		0-2		California Odyssey
Scoring on either side of halftime, California Odyssey defeated San Juan SC 2-0 to move to within one game of lifting the State Division title. In a game where chances were few and far between Odyssey made the most of their forays into the attacking third to stay alive in the competition.

U13 Boys State Semifinal
2/4	Ajax United		2-0		San Mateo County FC
A brace from the hometown player proved to be the difference in this otherwise-tight contest, with each of Ajax United's two goals coming at the bookends of the match. Logan Watson scored four minutes into the match and then 15 minutes from time to help his side down San Mateo County FC.
U13 Boys State Semifinal
2/4	Folsom Lake Surf		0-2		SF United FC
Quality build-up and smooth passing made the difference in this match as SF United FC downed Folsom Lake Surf 2-0 in the late game Saturday. SF United scored early on a quick combination play in what was the eventual game winner.
U13 Girls State Semifinal
2/4	De Anza Force		0-2		Ajax United
After a relatively even first half, two goals in the second half propelled Ajax United to a 2-0 victory over De Anza Force in the first U13 State Division semifinal of the day. Janiya Thompson and Sophia Rodriguez were the heroes for the local club, with each tallying after the break for Ajax.
U13 Girls State Semifinal
2/4	California Odyssey		0-0 (2-3 on kicks from the mark)		Clovis Crossfire
This defensive slugfest featured cohesive backlines and quality goalkeeping and neither side was able to break the deadlock during regulation or overtime. Instead, the match went to the dreaded kicks from the mark where Clovis Crossfire proved slightly better than their Central Valley rivals California Odyssey.