MSYSA counts down to finals as Md. State Cup field narrows
By Jimmy LaRoue
Maryland State Youth Soccer Association State Cup games continued over the weekend, and like the opening stages of its counterpart across the Potomac, a mix of blowouts and close encounters highlighted the slate.
In Under-13 Boys, five of eight games over the weekend were decided by four goals or more, with Bethesda Blue 98 following up a 16-0 win last week with a 7-0 win Sunday over Maryland Barca in Sweet 16 action. Just two games over the weekend could be classified as dramatically one-sided in U-14 Boys play.
U-15 Boys play began Sunday with Sweet 16 action, with a 6-5 win by Montgomery Soccer Club (MSC) Eagles over Freestate Diplomats one of the most eye-catching results in the bracket. In U-16 play, Crofton Blast also hustled out a 6-5 win over Baltimore Bays Blue Lions U-16 Boys.
In U-17 Boys State Cup action, teams faced off in the Sweet 16, while the U-18 Boys survivors begin round-of-16 play on May 5.
The boys’ State Cup semifinals take place May 12, and the finals are May 20. Those rounds take place at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Competition was largely level in U-13 Girls action, with PSC Cobras and Alliance SC Red Venom Premier the only squads to roll up heavy victories. Four U-14 Girls games were 1-0 results as battles among the last 16 heated up.
Two high-scoring games marked Sweet 16 play in the U-15 Girls bracket, as FC Frederick 96 defeated SSA Hornets 7-1 and Freestate Wolverines 96 won a tight match against Rush Nike 96 Magic 5-4.
State Cup action continues Apr. 21-22.
Most girls State Cup semifinal action takes place Apr. 29, with the finals May 20, both at the Maryland SoccerPlex. U-18 Girls play their semifinal matches May 12.
The draw for the U-19 teams in the State Cup takes place May 20, with preliminary games taking place May 25 through June 6, the semifinals on June 9 and the finals June 10.
For brackets from the MSYSA State Cup, see below:
