Placer U17 Boys Advance to the NPL National Semi Finals

Posted On July 13, 2014 by PUSC

Saturday morning saw a clash of two unbeaten teams from Bracket A on day three of the NPL finals. Placer United and NPL champions from New York state had both won their two opening games . The prize for the winner was a place in the 2014 NPL National Semi Finals.

Dressed in their new lucky kits, the yellow canaries quickly flew out of the cage and created two early chances that were pushed away by the New York based keeper. As the game settled down, mainly due to the extremly hot and muggy weather, it became apparent that the NY team was out to ruffle some feathers as they made a number of pretty hard tackles in their attempt to stifle the quick tiki taka ball movement of the boys.

At the end of the first half, the game was tied 0-0. It was plain for all to see the concern on the faces of the NY team as that score line would be enough to see Placer United advance.

The pace of the second half really picked up as the NY team pressured the boys in yellow higher up the field. That strategy really suited the canaries as they began to combine a lot quicker though the middle third of the field and fly forward into the open spaces behind the other teams defense. On minute 59, the moment we all waited for arrived. Forward Diego Buenrostro spread his wings and flew through a crowd of players to head in the opening goal of the game.

With the goal in the bag, the team really settled into their possession game and kept the ball for long periods of time adding more frustration to an already tired looking NY team. When the referee blew the final whistle the birds started to sing as a berth in the semis had been secured and the team took another step closer to the National Final.

Great job again guys! Go Placer!