U9-U10 NorCal State Cup Champions Crowned After Exciting Finals Weekend
This past Saturday and Sunday, 104 different teams lifted titles as the U9 and U10 NorCal State Cup came to a conclusion during Finals Weekend at Davis Legacy Soccer Complex and Granite Regional Park in Sacramento.
In order to come out victorious, each team had to battle nine different opponents over the course of four months in a field that began with over 900 teams.
“Though each division crowned a champion, this weekend was about much more than trophies,” said NorCal U9-U12 State Cup Coordinator John Stoppelmann. “From the first match to the final whistle, players challenged themselves, represented their clubs and communities, and created lasting memories alongside their teammates, coaches, and families.”
“We congratulate all of our champions on their achievement and thank the players, coaches, referees, and supporters who helped make this event a true celebration of the game,” Stoppelmann added.
The U9 and U10 NorCal State Cup started in August with each team playing in a three-game, club-hosted group stage before being reseeded ahead of the second round.
That second round took place in October and November, with everyone playing a further three group matches at a NorCal-hosted site before teams were again re-seeded into quarterfinal matchups.
From there, the victorious teams in the quarterfinals qualified for Finals Weekend, where the semifinals and finals took place, with all finals played in Davis.
In the State Division, NorCal Premier Soccer’s highest level of play, four different clubs came out victorious, earning the right to call themselves the true NorCal State Cup champions in their respective divisions.
Those teams were Bay Area Surf (U10 girls), MVLA (U9 girls), Pajaro Valley United (U9 boys), and Santa Clara Sporting (U10 boys).
All four of those teams earned spots in the spring’s California Cup, a competition that pits NorCal’s State Cup champions and finalists against their counterparts from SOCAL Soccer League. That competition will take place March 20 and 21.
Also qualifying as finalists were Cal Victory FC (U10 boys), CV Futbol Academy (U10 girls), Turlock Academica Jrs (U9 boys), and Walnut Creek Surf (U9 girls).
U11/U12 State Cup Continues
While the U9 and U10 age groups may have concluded, the U11 and U12 divisions still have a ways to go as this weekend will see the girls Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels take part in their round of 16 and quarterfinal matchups.
Overall, four different sites will host games: Cosumnes River College and Granite Regional Park in Sacramento, Robertson Sports Park in Livermore, and San Juan Soccer Complex in Rancho Cordova.
“The round of 32 helped create competitive and meaningful matchups across every division, setting the stage for an exciting knockout round,” Stoppelmann said. “With the round of 16 kicking off for the girls, teams know that each match is an opportunity to continue their championship journey.”
Finals weekend for the boys and girls Gold, Silver, and Bronze divisions will be held December 5 and 6 at Placer Soccer Complex in Roseville.
For more information on the NorCal State Cup, click here.
