U11-U13 State Division Finals Preview

After months of hard work and competitive games, the run to determine NorCal Premier Soccer’s State Cup champions in the U11-U13 age groups ends Sunday in Modesto.

While there can only be one champion in the top division in each age group, 35 total champions will be awarded at Mary Grogan Park as teams from all across Northern California gather in what’s expected to be an amazing showcase for the beautiful game.

Here are your State Division previews:

U11 Boys State Final
2/6	Sheriffs FC		9:10 AM		Almaden FC
In a back and forth semifinal, Sheriffs FC came out on top of TSP FC via a 2-1 scoreline thanks to two goals from winger Luis Mira, who hit the back of the net in each half to power the Bay Area club to the final. Their opponents will be Almaden FC, who knocked off Stockton TLJ 1-0 with the solitary strike coming late from Antoine Watts.
U11 Girls State Final
2/6	MVLA		9:10 AM		Mustang SC
After posting blowout wins in each of their group stage games, it’s no surprise to see MVLA in the State Cup final. However, it’s been a tougher path for the highly-touted Bay Area side to get to the final – it took a 2-0 win over a different Mustang SC team, a 2-1 result against PSV Union, and a 3-0 victory over San Juan to reach this stage of the competition. Meanwhile Mustang SC have yet to allow a goal in the competition and have cruised through the knockout stages with a series of shutout wins. In wins over Santa Clara Sporting, FC Bay Area Surf, and Ajax United, Mustang have combined for 18 total goals.
U12 Boys State Final
2/6	Mustang SC		11:10 AM		Ajax United
Behind goals from Sebastian Prada and Colton Fitzgibbon, Mustang SC raced out to an early 2-1 lead over Davis Legacy in their State Division final. While Davis pushed for an equalizer, Camden Gartner put the game away four minutes from time to send the Danville club to the final where they'll face Ajax United. The Central Valley side, who will be playing at home, put on an incredible attacking display in their semifinal, defeating Woodland SC 5-2. Preston Sickward opened the scoring for Ajax, followed by an own goal, before skillful attacker Xavier Rodriguez scored a hat trick to ice the game.
U12 Girls State Final
2/6	Ajax United		11:10 AM		San Juan SC
Playing at home in front of a packed crowd, Ajax United emphatically defeated Burlingame SC in the semifinals to reach the final of the State Division. All the goals came from the same place: striker Ayleen Apreza, who hit the back of the net three times in a 3-1 win. Their opponents in San Juan SC had to fight just a little bit longer as their semifinal with Woodside SC went to extra time and then penalties after neither team could score. Ultimately, San Juan prevailed in the shootout to reach the final.
U13 Boys State Final
2/6	Albion SC		3:00 PM		SF Glens
In a wild semifinal, Albion SC traded goals early and often with AC Marin. Ultimately, though, Albion were able to score late and reach the final thanks to a 3-2 victory. Their opponents in the SF Glens played in a much stingier semifinal against MVLA as the two Bay Area sides couldn't find the back of the net until a late brace from Christopher Munoz Sandoval propelled them to a 2-0 victory.
U13 Girls State Final
2/6	FC Sporting		1:00 PM		Los Gatos United
In a tense semifinal, neither FC Sporting or San Juan South could find an opener until fewer than 15 minutes remained in the match. From there, Rhea Moore and Maycee Kirby both scored to give Sporting a 2-0 win. In the other U13 Girls State semifinal, Kylee Fore and Vera Galeb scored on either side of halftime to put Los Gatos United in the final with a 2-0 victory over Marin FC.