In September 2023 NorCal Premier had over 1,200 soccer teams from San Francisco to Reno, Watsonville to Redding, all with the same goal - raising a NorCal Premier Cup in Early June.

 

Fast forward to the final showdown at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento last weekend, where the 48 toughest boys' teams battled it out. The winners? Two AYSO United Davis teams, making history and bringing home the trophies! Hats off to these unstoppable players, their fantastic coaches, and their cheerleading squads.

On June 1, the AYSO United Davis 2010 Boys Blue team took the field with the intention to bring home the NorCal Premier Bronze Cup. The first half was marked by strong and balanced play from both teams. Goalie Landon Miller and the defensive line Brent Haines, Wyatt Bennett, Colton Barclift, Chris Au, and Landon Lau limited successful attacks on goal. A direct kick allowed a quick goal for the opponent at the close of the half.

After an engaging half time speech by Coach Terry and strategy from Coaches Lisa and Terry, the Davis team returned to the field with renewed focus. The midfield, Will Hunsucker, Beau Barclift, JT Mills, Shane, and John shored up the cover and balance in the center of the field. The opponent did not have a consistent answer to this tight coverage coupled with the persistent high pressure from the Davis defensive line. They resorted to long through balls which were expertly handled by goalie, Landon.

 

At the same time, the front line, Jett Alfar, Noah Klein, Terry Fleming, Landon Lau, Sebastian Lopez, John Kelley, and Jeremy Kim began an offensive assault. A corner played by Jeremy into the goal mouth was headed in by Shane for the first Davis point. Another goal grew from some quick footwork by John and a smart through pass to Jeremy who scored with a carefully placed shot. This goal was called back due to a toe’s distance of offside positioning but the momentum was already shifting.

The second point for Davis came from a remarkable shot from Sebastian that pinged off both posts and rested in the net. The third point for Davis was a bold split-second shot from outside the box by John who placed the ball in the high corner. The fourth point of the game was a banging shot from outside the box by Shane after a negative pass from Sebastian.

A second goal went to the opponent as the match crept on but it was too late. The AYSO United Davis 2010 Boys Blue team came roaring back from a 1 goal deficit to a winning outcome with the final score of the match at 4-2.

Just a few hours later the 2009B Blue team took to the field seeking a Silver Cup and hoping to best Mission Youth. The team heeded Coach Daniel Sedillo's advice to 'win the game in the first 10 minutes' and came out strong on the attack. They quickly netted the first goal in the second minute off a corner kick cross from Santiago Ortigas that was volleyed in by center back Aden Linderholm. Davis continued to create multiple opportunities looking to end the game quickly, but Mission Youth's defense held strong.

 

Looking to change the flow of the game, Mission Youth ramped up their intensity while shifting more players forward to gain more ball control in the Davis third of the field. However, the AYSO United Davis defense anchored by the Linderholm, Ortigas, Matthew Vo, Will Meng, Elliot Mann, Henry Candelo, and Mateo Sedillo in goal provided stout resistance. Meanwhile, United responded with quick counters sparked by midfielders, including Grayson Entao, Colton Holycross, and Antonio Salinas.

 

In the 30th minute, Noah Ross launched a throw in that Will Meng sped onto down the line before fizzing in a cross that Rafa Concha knocked into the back of the net, making the score 2-0 AYSO United Davis.

The second half saw more of the same pressure from Mission Youth and counters from the United team. Near goals were had on shots by Payton Hanks, Faisal Zellou, and Sebi Gutierrez. Meanwhile, continued strong defense combined with multiple saves by Christian Acuna kept the sheet clean until Mission Youth earned a penalty kick with under 15 minutes to go, burying it to make the remainder of the game much more interesting.

 

The attacking tandem of Noah Ross and Sebi Gutierrez responded with a massive work rate to create multiple chances that limited Mission Youth's opportunities while the Davis’ defense held firm to the finish to take home the Silver Cup with a final score of 2-1.

Let’s put the numbers to it.

 

3 years as a club in NorCal Premier’s State Cup play.

 

6 State Cup championship games earned.

 

6 State Cup games won.

Congratulations to our newest teams that join the State Cup history books! Onwards to next year!

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