SOCA’s U14 Boys Elite team advanced to the VYSA State Cup quarterfinal stage on Saturday by virtue of an exciting 3-2 win over Loudoun SC at the Loudoun Soccer Park.

Against their CCL rivals, SOCA dominated the early going with an opening goal from Bryce Boland at about the 10 minute mark, followed by another tally from Mauricio Castillo 20 minutes into the match.  Taking the 2-0 lead into half-time, the squad appeared poised for a comfortable win.

Within the first 15 minutes of the second half the story changed dramatically as Loudoun stormed back into the game, knotting the affair at 2-2 with 20 minutes left to play.  Emotions were running high as the momentum switched from the visiting SOCA squad to home-standing Loudoun.

Following the second Loudoun goal, SOCA was gradually able to regain composure and reinsert themselves into the match, often pressuring from well-taken restarts.  As the game was rebalancing, SOCA had a goal called back for an offside infraction with some 15 minutes remaining in the match.  Being denied the go-ahead goal inspired SOCA Elite to press even harder for the win.

Loudoun was running on emotion and left themselves vulnerable with some loose defending and it was Bryce Boland who again provided the finish, scoring his second of the day, putting SOCA in front.

Boland’s winning goal came with 12 minutes remaining and at that point SOCA re-adjusted their posture to protect the lead.  By playing compact in the midfield and launching counter attacks on the flanks SOCA was able to ride out the pressure in the final minutes.

In the quarterfinal stage SOCA will compete in a round robin group format, first facing FCV Ashburn on Saturday, April 23, 11:00 am at the Evergreen Sportsplex Field #3.  SOCA will also face PWSI Courage and Chesterfield United in group play, with the schedule to be determined.

All VYSA State Cup schedules and results can be found at this link: http://www.vysa.com/statecup/index_E.html