SOCA Travel teams are enjoying success on all fronts this fall season with positive outcomes resulting from an intentional player development program.  SOCA is an overachieving small-market club, consistently outperforming organizations from much larger population bases.  SOCA’s success is derived from comprehensive developmental programming, quality coaching instruction, appropriate priorities at each level, talented players with high soccer IQ and committed support from families.

Success can only be partially measured by match results, with player development and team advancement being key indicators for the club leadership.  A look at several areas gives a broad indication of SOCA’s successful development model.

State Cup

Leading the way in the fall season success story are the SOCA Elite U17 Boys and U17 Girls.  Both these teams will compete in their age group VYSA State Cup final championship match this Sunday, November 6, at the VSTC in Fredericksburg.  The girls will kick-off at 9:30 am on Field #2 (turf) against Arlington Red while the boys will get underway at 1:00 pm on Field #4 (grass), also against an Arlington Red squad.

Both U17 squads have been consistent throughout the Cup competition and seem to be peaking at the right time.  SOCA DOC Dan Ensley has guided the two teams through the multi-stage elimination process to bring them to the final match.  Sunday will be another busy day for Ensley as he leads the two squads on the championship day, seeking to capture gold for each.

SOCA has claimed three VYSA State Cup championships in the past, and hopes to add to that haul this weekend.  A girls’ State Cup championship will be a first for SOCA, adding further excitement to the day.

SOCA placed six teams into the quarter-final stage of the Cup competition this fall (U15 through U19 age groups), indicating the breadth of quality club-wide.

For complete State Cup brackets and results, follow this link: http://www.vysa.com/statecup/index_E.html

Club Champions League:  Elite Teams

In league play SOCA Elite teams face high quality competition each weekend.  The CCL is composed of 16 of the top youth clubs in Virginia, Maryland and DC.  Each match day provides an opportunity for SOCA’s top players to sharpen their skills against technically skilled, well-coached opponents, in a club-to-club setting.    At present, with more than half the league matches yet to be played, SOCA is sitting in fourth place overall in the league, with the boys cumulatively in second position.  Overall standings are calculated by accumulating points from U19-U12 age groups.  SOCA advanced after a particularly successful outing against Roanoke Star this past weekend, increasing the club record to 62 wins, 7 ties and only 29 loses.

As an indicator of league quality, note that 16 of the VYSA State Cup finalists (15-U19 boys and girls) hail from the CCL.  Six CCL clubs are contributing 16 of the statewide competition’s finalists.

Three SOCA squads are presently in first place in their respective CCL divisions; U13 Boys, U14 Boys, and U17 Girls, who are unbeaten and untied.  The U17 Boys are also unblemished, but with fewer games played are not at the top of their group at the moment, but have games in hand on the leaders.

To view CCL standings, follow this link:  http://www.clubchampionsleague.com/standings/

Skyline Club Soccer League:  Premier Teams

At the Premier level SOCA has representation from both the Augusta and Charlottesville regions, and one team from each region is currently perched in the top position of their age group division.  The Augusta U15 Boys and the Charlottesville U12 Boys find themselves in the lead with only a few matches remaining to be played in their divisions.

The SCSL Premier divisions are composed of the top clubs in west-central Virginia and provide competitive matches in a league setting committed to player development and advancement.

For complete Skyline League information, follow this link: https://www.socaspot.org/skyline-league/

Skyline Club Soccer League:  Classic Teams

SOCA-Charlottesville has been a dominant force in the regional Classic level for several years, having claimed each of the last five SCSL Classic crowns.  As the fall season winds down, four SOCA squads are in the catbird seat; U12 Boys Blue, U14 Boys White, U19 Boys and U12 Girls White.

At the conclusion of fall league play all SOCA Travel teams will compete at various regional tournament events to round out their experience.

College Placements

SOCA graduates are enjoying the next level of play at colleges throughout the east.  Two exciting examples of SOCA grads advancing and succeeding are the four young men at #23 ranked Virginia Tech, and two young ladies at Colonial League powerhouse William & Mary.  At Tech, Forrest White, Brendan Moyers, James Kasak and Burke Bender are all contributing to the Hokies best season in several years.  At W&M, freshman Hannah Keith is making regular contributions and is supported by former SOCA player Rachel DeMasters.

To view a list of SOCA graduates playing in college programs, visit our website here:  https://www.socaspot.org/college/college-placements/

Continued best wishes to all SOCA players as the fall season nears completion.