U9/U10 #NorCalStateCup State Division Semifinals Preview

After seven competitive matches for each squad, just four teams remain in the State Division of the U9/U10 NorCal Premier Soccer State Cup.

Unlike previous years, the semifinals and finals will both take place on the same day, with the U9 Girls and U10 Boys divisions culminating on Saturday and the U9 Boys and U10 Girls brackets finishing up play on Sunday.

Overall, 11 different clubs saw their teams qualify for the final four in the State Division, with CV Futbol Academy leading the way with a total of three teams still alive.

AC Marin, MVLA, and Santa Clara Sporting both each have two teams remaining, while De Anza Force, ECFC Salinas, Elk Grove Soccer, Modesto Ajax United, Reno APEX SC, and Valley Surf round out the list of clubs represented.

Here are your State Division semifinal previews:

Saturday

U9 Girls State Semifinal
11/11	Santa Clara Sporting		9:25 a.m. Field #13		Elk Grove Soccer
So far in the U9 Girls State Division, Santa Clara Sporting have been in immaculate form. Not only have Sporting not allowed a single goal in the second group stage or knockout rounds, but they’ve hit the back of the net 24 times in the process. Their opponents in Elk Grove Soccer have allowed four goals but have been almost as good offensively, scoring 18 times in their four matches back in October.
U9 Girls State Semifinal
11/11	CV Futbol Academy		9:25 p.m. Field #14		MVLA
Despite a scoreless draw in one of their second group stage games, CV Futbol Academy topped Group A and continued their solid run of form in the quarterfinals. In qualifying for the semifinals, CV defeated a strong Mustang SC side 5-0. The other U9 semifinalists, MVLA, topped Group B with 12 goals scored against just one allowed before narrowly edging Modesto Ajax United 3-2 in the quarterfinals.

U10 Boys State Semifinal
11/11	AC Marin		9:25 a.m. Field #11		ECFC Salinas
AC Marin were able to top Group B in the first round thanks to a solid defense that allowed just a single goal in each of their three games. Then, they were able to punch their way through to the semifinals after a wild quarterfinal in which they defeated Atletico Santa Rosa via a 6-5 scoreline. Meanwhile, ECFC Salinas averaged six goals a game in their four matches leading up to the semifinals, all of which were comfortable victories.
U10 Boys State Semifinal
11/11	CV Futbol Academy		9:25 a.m. Field #12		De Anza Force
CV Futbol Academy are another free scoring team that have qualified for the semifinals. So far, they’ve hit the back of the net 23 times in the second group stage and knockout rounds, including five times in a quarterfinal victory over Marin FC. Their opponents in De Anza Force have been just as good offensively and have scored 21 goals in the same portion of the competition.

Sunday

U9 Boys State Semifinal
11/12	CV Futbol Academy		9:25 a.m. Field #11		AC Marin
Despite finishing in just second place in their group, CV Futbol Academy advanced to the semifinals thanks to an 8-4 victory over FC Bay Area Surf. This was notable because the team that finished above them in their group was Bay Area, who had earlier beaten them 3-1. Their opponents will be AC Marin, who so far haven’t dropped a single game and defeated Stockton TLJ 5-4 in the quarterfinals.
U9 Boys State Semifinal
11/12	Reno APEX SC		9:25 a.m. Field #12		Valley Surf
After finishing second in their group based on a goal differential tiebreaker, Reno Apex SC squeaked into the semifinals by the narrowest of margins, defeating Marin FC 2-1 in the quarterfinal stage. Their opponents will be the free scoring Valley Surf, who hit the back of the net 21 times in the group stage before claiming a 7-1 victory over Modesto Ajax United in the quarterfinals.

U10 Girls State Semifinal
11/12	Modesto Ajax United		9:25 a.m. Field #14		MVLA
Despite falling once in the second group stage, Modesto Ajax United comfortably punched their ticket to the semifinals thanks to a 4-1 victory over San Juan SC in the quarterfinals. The story was the same for their final four opponents, MVLA. The Bay Area side lost once in the group stage before knocking off Marin FC via a 3-0 scoreline to reach the semifinals.
U10 Girls State Semifinal
11/12	Mustang SC		9:25 a.m. Field #13		Santa Clara Sporting
So far in the latter rounds of the competition, Mustang SC have been perfect, scoring 19 goals while allowing none. A 4-0 victory over Merced United in the quarterfinals saw them qualify for this weekend. In the semifinals, they’ll face Santa Clara Sporting, who were the lone side to defeat Modesto Ajax United before beating Elk Grove Soccer 4-1 in the quarterfinals.