Local stars make run at cup
Hundreds of boys’ and girls’ soccer teams opened action in the Cal State Cup in various cities in the southern portion of the state on the weekend.
A total of four local teams participated in the group stage, with Dynamo El Centro Soccer Club’s Girls’ 2001 Orange team being the lone squad to advance to the next stage of the tournament.
The team, led by Ramon Lopez and made up of local high school players, tied 1-1 against Fram and defeated Chelsea FC 3-1 to advance to the Round of 16, which will be held at the Silverlakes Soccer Complex in Norco on Saturday.
Also competing in the tourney was San Diego United — East Girls’ 1999, a club team made up of players from Central Union, Imperial and Southwest highs.
Led by Jim Graham, the team finished runner-up in the San Diego Development Academy Under-18 Girls’ division and opened State Cup play with a 0-0 draw against Downey Elite FC.
The squad then defeated Atlante of Chula Vista 4-0 on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, the squad fell to Oxnard 3-0 and due to the tourney’s point-system were left out of the next round of play ending the girls’ season.
Graham expressed his sadness with the end of the team’s season, yet noted the squad had a great season.