On Sunday, November 3, 2019, three SOCA Elite teams made club history by winning their age group’s State Cup championship at the Virginia Soccer Training Center in Fredericksburg.  SOCA has previously won seven VYSA State Cup titles, and have twice won two titles in a year.  The 2019 haul of three championships in the fall season is a new high for the club.

In the first match of the day, kicking off at a chilly 9:00 am start, the U18 Boys Elite needed overtime to prevail 5-3 against a determined Virginia Legacy opponent.  The persistence and quality demonstrated by the SOCA side provided indications of the way things would go throughout the day.

In an 11:00 am match-up, the U16 Girls Elite comfortably handled Fredericksburg FC Black and outclassed their CCL rival with a comprehensive 4-0 win.

Wrapping up SOCA’s day were the U16 Boys Elite, who used all their guile and commitment to claim a narrow 2-1 win over Arlington Academy.

In another morning match, the U17 Girls Elite fell by the slightest margin, 2-1, to Beach FC, taking the runner up trophy in the state-wide knock out competition.

The impressive showing of SOCA’s top teams at the state level are the result of the club’s comprehensive commitment to quality programming and instruction.

Director of Soccer, Bill Mueller, speaks proudly of the club’s efforts, “First, praise must go to the players and families for their commitment and devotion.  We’re very proud of our players and the support they receive from their families.  Secondly, the team coaches get high marks for guiding their squad through the tricky challenges of simultaneously managing league play and the State Cup, and preparing their teams for success in a knock-out competition.  In State Cup, any slip-up means elimination, so winning the title demonstrates great preparation and development.  Finally, the club deserves credit for providing the structure, programming and priorities which allow for players to develop over time.  All of these Travel players grew up in the game.  They experienced Challenge, Recreation and Hot Shots programs, and along the way developed a love for the game and the skills and attributes that lead to success as teen-agers.  All of us are really proud of their success.”

The winning State Cup teams will participate in Regional competition in the summer of 2020.  In the coming spring season, the U14, U13 and U12 Elite teams will participate in State Cup in their age groups.

Follow this link for all the VYSA State Cup scores and information: https://www.vysa.com/Default.aspx?tabid=2519875