NorCal U-14 through U-19 State Cup draws to a close

Winners headed to National Cup XII Finals
 

NorCal State Cup Web page | National Cup XII Web page | usclubsoccer.org

CHARLESTON, S.C. (May 20, 2013) – With more than 600 teams participating in the U-14 through U-19 age groups and championships awarded in 42 divisions, there were plenty of talented players on the field and trophies at stake during the 2013 NorCal State Cup.

After eight months of competition through group play and knockout rounds, 84 teams gathered for the finals on May 5 at the Turlock Sports Complex, with 10 coming away as state champions. By winning the top division, those in the U-14 through U-17 age groups qualified directly for the National Cup XII Finals, to be held July 18-21 in suburban Denver.

There, they will take on top teams from around the country, with other qualifiers coming from the seven National Cup XII Regional events and qualifying state cups in the U-13 through U-17 age groups.

“In seven years, the U-14 through U-19 NorCal State Cup has grown from an event with around 100-150 teams to one of the largest and most competitive state cup events in the nation,” U-14 through U-19 NorCal State Cup Coordinator Jason Drury said. “This year’s Cup had more than six times the participation from the inaugural event with 42 divisions of play, and it is now one of the most anticipated events in Northern California every year.”

The competition, which is managed by the NorCal Premier League, kicked off in early September with preliminary games to seed teams into groups of four. The Group Stage took place between late September and late February, with each team playing three matches to determine placement in the Knockout Phase, which consisted of the Round of 16, Quarterfinals and Semifinals between March 30 and May 4. 

That led up to the finals on May 5, where 42 teams were crowned champions. Seven clubs came away with State Cup titles, led by two each from De Anza Force, West Coast SC and Milan FC. Stockton Monarcas FC, Juventus SC, Sacramento United and Lamorinda SC also came away with State Cup titles to earn a place in the National Cup XII Finals. More championships were awarded in the other 32 divisions, which included the Premier Cup, Gold Cup, Silver Cup, Bronze Cup and Copper Cup.

"West Coast Soccer is proud of our recent success in the U-14 through U-19 NorCal State Cup,” Director Troy Dayak said. “Having four of our teams competing for a cup and three crowned champions is unprecedented, and West Coast would like to thank the NorCal Premier League for putting on a great State Cup event. We are looking forward to competing in the National Cup Finals for the third straight year."