U16 Boys State Cup Finals: Recap

U16 Boys State Final

California Odyssey Red 1, Santa Rosa United Gold 1 (Odyssey wins in penalties)

Man of the Match: Carlos Leon

For NPL 1 side California Odyssey, it was an early penalty that saw them take a 1-0 lead over the Champions League’s Santa Rosa United as Rubin Gonzalez put his spot kick in the upper righthand corner of the goal in just the 23rd minute of the game. That lead would stand — thanks in part to several clutch saves from Santa Rosa keeper Carlos Leon — until nearly the last kick of the game when a long punt from Leon found the feet of Nathan Rodriguez, who was in behind the California defense. Rodriguez slotted his chance home to send the game to overtime and then kicks from the mark, where each side hit their first five shots before missing their next two. After two saves in two sudden death rounds from Leon, though, Santa Rosa United missed their third shot in a row and Odyssey finally scored to capture the title.