The CASA Youth Academy is a program for boys and girls under 8 through under 10 that focuses on player development.  Success at this level is measured on player development and team development not solely on winning and losing.  Although striving to win is encouraged, it is not done so at the expense of player and team development.  The players are trained by professional coaches who have all played and coached soccer at the highest level.  Our Summer Program was a huge success.  Players trained twice a week and played 4v4 Play Days with other local clubs such as Placer Academy and Sac United.

LODI, CA -- Congratulations to our U11 Boca Jrs girls for their second place finish at the 2008 Lodi Fall Classic.  The Boca girls went undefeated with two 5-0 shutouts and great technical soccer in the preliminary matches.

On Friday, September 12^th a group of Boca Jrs 93 players traveled down to Stockton to cheer on one of our own as Brittani Lum (Boca Jrs 90), a freshman at the University of Hawaii, was in California to play in the Pacific Fall Invitational.  The game was hard fought, pitting the University of the Pacific Tigers’ physical direct style of play against a more indirect possession oriented approach from the UH  Rainbow Wahine.  After a scoreless first half, the Rainbow Wahine (translation – ladies) went up a goal after a great deep run and cross by speedy forward Taryn Fukuroku was knocked in by Ambree Ako.  The lead didn’t last long as highly touted Tiger freshman Angelica Figueroa scored two second half goals, one on a PK, to overcome the deficit for UOP . The game’s final minutes were fast paced and intense as Hawaii struggled with tired legs and injuries to mount a fierce attack but were unable to get the equalizer and UOP came away with the 2–1 victory.  Our Boca Jrs 93 girls were proud to report that Britani played the entire game at right defender and was strong and effective throughout the game.

The Boca girls had a great night watching high level women’s soccer up close as they cheered Britani on throughout the match.  Afterward, they made their way onto the field to mingle with the players and welcome her back in person.  In attendance from the 93 team were Natalie Ochoa, Corinne Friend, Emily Pons, Ashley Matarelli and Jennifer Lum.  In their final game of the tournament, Brittani and her teammates made for a more pleasant flight home by defeating the University of San Francisco 5–0 on Sunday.  

Pictured in the photo:  Natalie Ochoa, Corinne Friend, Britani Lum, Emily Pons, and Jennifer Lum.

SACRAMENTO, CA  --  

Boca Jrs 93 girls showed they are ready to take on some high level competition by the way they played in the Cal Rush Open Tournament Labor Day weekend. Excellent passing, ball control, teamwork and determination gave them the edge they needed to make it to the championship game.  Head Coach Betsy Barr comments, "Last weekend at the Cal Rush tournament, the U15 Boca Jrs girls team came away with a second place finish after losing to the California Cougars 1-0 in the Championship game.  Playing four games in very hot conditions was not an easy task, but they fought hard and played with a lot of heart."

Boca Jrs played Cal Rush Nike 94 in the first game Saturday morning that ended in a 0-0 tie. Despite Boca dominating Cal Rush they couldn't put one in the back of the net.

Later in the day they defeated in 49er United Rage in 4-0 victory. Ashley Matarelli slammed the first goal in the back of the net after a perfectly placed cross from Natalie Ochoa. Danielle Hendricks scored the next two goals while Natalie Ochoa scored the fourth from a direct kick. Boca's dominate defense sealed 49er's fate with the shutout.

Sunday morning they had to step up and pull off a win in overtime against the undefeated Elk Grove Everton. Ashley Matarelli scored in the second overtime period to pull off the 1-0 victory.

That put them in the Championship game against the California Cougars.  Despite the 1-0 loss they played hard against a team that is currently ranked 11th Northern California. "The team earned their spot in the championship match. They especially stayed focused during the double overtime 1-0 win against Elk Grove Everton. That win showcased their desire and capabilities if playing intense and technical over a long period. I am so happy for them," comments a proud Coach Frank Rameriez.

Congratulations Boca!!!

Saturday August 23  -- The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department soccer team recently competed in an invitation only Law Enforcement/Fire Fighter tournament in remembrance of those who gave their lives and also helped in the tragedy of “9/11”.

MLS club Chivas USA hosted the 12 team tournament in Carson, CA with teams as far away as New York participating.The Sheriff’s Department team which consists of players from the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department, Sacramento Police Department, Roseville Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Sacramento County Probation and the California Department of Corrections, played five games in four days and were fortunate to make it to the final which was played INSIDE the Home Depot Center, home to the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA.

SACRAMENTO, CA --  In the spirit of soccer goodwill and building strong intra-team relations, the Boca Jrs 97 girls hosted the Oregon Westside Metros and 3 other teams to our first ever U11 Boca Jamboree.  The jamboree occurred on the weekend of August 22-24 with the following, no cost to participate, events.

EL DORADO, CA  --  The chants of the Yellow Submarine rang across Cherry Island after the final penalty kick of the U12 Final game.  Three times a charm as the old saying goes.  The Boca 96 boys finally got over the hump and won the El Dorado "Joe Ribaudo" Shootout. This was the first local event of the year for the boys as it posed a different feel. Instead of trying to knock off the Mustangs and the Santa Cruz Breakers, teams were looking to knock the Boca boys out of contention.  A player said, "Every game was like a local derby match, intense and very competitive.  And Coach Brandon replied, “It was a good learning experience for our boys."