After Oakland Soul earned a hard-fought tie on the road to the Stockton Cargo, they dismantled The Olympic Club 7-0 at Merritt College. Meanwhile, in League 2, SF City rebounded from an opening loss to win their home opener at Boxer Stadium.
W League: Oakland Soul look primed for 2024 season title chase
Oakland Soul, returning several starters from last season, is expected to challenge for the NorCal W League title this season.
Last weekend, the Soul traveled to Stockton to take on the Cargo and battled to a 0-0 draw. Those two teams and the SF Glens, who won the Nor Cal Division last year, are expected to be the top three teams this year.
On Sunday, the Soul returned to Merritt College’s friendly confines. In front of a capacity crowd, Oakland defeated The Olympic Club 7-0.
Soul pressured the Olympic Club from the start, and the high pressure led to a defensive turnover in the 12th minute, leaving the Soul’s Shaelan Murison running in alone on goal. She chipped Olympic goalkeeper Lauren Racioppi for Oakland’s first goal of the W League season.
Nine minutes later, Soul veteran Samantha Tran doubled the lead. She received the long ball out wide and hit it past the onrushing Racioppi for the 2-0 lead.
Arianna Veland’s strike in the 28th minute gave Soul a commanding three-goal lead. A turnover in the midfield ended up at the feet of the Soul’s Miranda Nild. Olympic did not press Nild, giving the former Thai international time to slot a ball into the box to Veland, who calmly finished the attempt.
Another goal from Murison essentially put the game to bed in the 34th minute.
In the second half, Soul continued to dominate the San Francisco club. Oakland’s Manaka Hayashi made it 5-0 in the 56th minute. Jordan Geis and Sydney Shepherd also contributed goals for the final scoreline.
Despite the commanding victory for the Soul, Stockton Cargo also put on an offensive display, defeating Academica SC 6-0, remaining just on their heels of Oakland in second place.
Several teams in the Nor Cal league, including the San Francisco Glens, start league play this week. The Glens’ first game is against Academica SC on May 18. Oakland Soul’s next game is another home match against Marin FC on Thursday, May 23.
League 2: SF City starts with a win and draw
With a slick new jersey and a hype campaign, San Francisco City has started its 2024 campaign looking to compete again for the League 2 NorCal Division title.
Last Wednesday night, City traveled down to Cardinale Stadium to take on Monterey Bay FC 2, the developmental team for Monterey Bay.
San Francisco put in a spirited effort, but a 66th-minute goal by Monterey’s Janos Kömmerling proved decisive, with Monterey Bay FC claiming the full three points.
On Saturday, in front of an announced crowd of more than 600 fans, SF City rebounded with a 2-0 victory over Project 51O.
City took the early lead in the 28th minute when defender Brenden Pineda got his head to a cross. 51O battled throughout the second half for the tying goal, but City forward Issay Bravo doubled the advantage with five minutes to go, helping San Francisco claim their first win.
Next up for City is another home game at Boxer Stadium on May 18 against Academica SC.
Crosstown rivals, the SF Glens, started their 2024 campaign with a 2-1 loss to Almaden FC from San Jose. They will play Davis Legacy on the road on Wednesday night before traveling to face Monterey Bay FC on Sunday afternoon.
