With a 2-1 victory over a defending state champion team from Palo Alto, the 2014 Girls Purple Piedmont Highlanders have an opportunity to play for State Cup, the highest youth soccer honor in Northern California.
One of only 16 teams remaining after more than 300 teams began play in September, the Highlanders will face last year’s runner-up in their upcoming Final 16 match on Feb. 1.
Piedmont is one of the smallest clubs in the last few years to qualify for this stage, and it continues a remarkable run of success for the club across the 2014 and 2015 age groups this fall.
With modest expectations for fall season after a winless spring, the 2014 girls and new coach Matt Spencer-Harty have amassed a record of 21-4-4 against top level competition, reflected in their #14 ranking in all of Northern California.
Their Fall League (Gold) title completed the turnaround from last place to first, and built on a series of successful tournament runs, including two championships.
This group of 10-year-olds representing 11 local elementary schools came together both on and off the field, supporting each other, challenging each other, and enjoying travel, meals, concerts, outings and parties together.
“Having recently moved to the US from the UK, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed coaching this extremely talented and spirited group of girls,” said Coach Matt Spencer-Harty. “To go from last season’s struggles to this season’s success is a testament to their hard work, determination and belief in themselves. This is a milestone nobody would have predicted at the start of the season, and I’m incredibly excited to see how far they can go.”