Sonoma County Alliance Soccer Club - SCA 95 Boys Advance in CYSA State Cup

It’s that time of year again. After a middle of the pack league season, the SCA 95 Boys caught State Cup Fever defeating the Madera Scorpions, Diablo Valley, and the Redwood Extreme in the first round of state cup. The team packed their bags and loaded their cars with soccer gear, iPod’s, Game Boy’s, DVD’s, little Sisters and a winning attitude for a four-hour drive to beautiful Hanford, California. In an attempt to meet or beat last years final four appearance the team was on familiar ground. Coach Trevor White said, “With last year’s State Cup experience the team knows what to expect and will certainly be ready to go.”
In game one versus rival Madera the boys came out early with a perfect through ball assist by Nick Klimenko and a no doubt finish by Alexander Ziemer in the first 3 minutes. Madera evened it up at 1-1 before Nick Klimenko scored the team’s second goal but once again the stubborn Madera would not go away and scored an equalizer. With a sense of urgency the kids turned it up a notch and Simon Bell nailed a 35 yard free kick game winner into the back of the net. The defense, led by a number of brilliant saves by keeper Jamie Del Curto and solid play by Jamie Ferrari III, Simon Bell, Fernando Alvarez and RC Tidwell shut down Madera the rest of the game holding on to a 3-2 victory.

In game two versus twice played Diablo Valley the boys started off a little sluggish. At the half despite strong midfield play by Frankie Graham, Austin Wolf, Orville Gramajo it was still 0-0. Early in the second half after some great battles in front of the Diablo goal Alexander Ziemer and Celso Valencia together willed the ball over the Diablo goal line to take a 1-0 lead which was good enough for the win. Just to make sure, with a left footed rocket, Kevin Poteracke added a second goal off a nice back pass from Nick for a 2-0 final score. When the whistle blew the team was 2-0-0 and given the fortunes of the other pool games the SCA95 Boys went to bed Saturday night knowing that they were advancing to the Sweet 16 where they will be joined by missing teammates Ryan Cheevers, Jaz Gonzales and Alexi Taylor who could not make the trip to Hanford.

When the boys woke up Sunday morning the kids were relaxed but coach Trevor kept the boys focused and insisted they not become complacent. Finishing off pool play with another win would be critical to carrying the confidence into the next round. Facing a tenacious team from Redwood Peninsula the boys got everything they could handle. The offensive front of Ethan Wenker, Kevin Poteracke, Alexander Ziemer, Nick Klimenko, Celso Valencia and Humberto Ponce had a continuous assault on Peninsula but could not break away. After two goals by Nick each off great passes by Kevin the boys still found them self tied 2-2. With about 5 minutes left, the boys “decided” they wanted to win and turned up the offense eventually resulting in an Alexander Ziemer dribbling through three Peninsula defenders to place the ball in the back of the net. That was all the scoring and the boys drove home with 3 wins and their minds set on February 3rd in Morgan Hill for the round of 16.

Congratulations to Trevor and the Boys!!! We’re proud of you. You deserve it.