The East Diablo United U12 Class I girls competitive soccer team from the East Diablo Youth Soccer League was one of 67 Division I teams to enter the first round of State Cup action on Jan. 20.

Each team played three preliminary games, after which the winners of each flight moved into the Sweet 16. Among them was the United.

East Diablo opened State Cup play against a tough Elk Grove team, scoring with one minute remaining in the first half. The United found the back of the net twice more to earn the 3-0 victory.

In game two against rival Castro Valley, the United became the point leaders in their flight, winning 1-0.

Against the Livermore Explosion, another local rival, the United entered halftime with a 1-0 lead and sent one more insurance goal into the net early in the second half. Livermore did manage to score once, being the only team thus far in State Cup action to score on the United. The 2-1 United victory advanced the team to this Saturday's Sweet 16 in Morgan Hill. The squad is scheduled to play the San Ramon Azzure.

Coach Paco Gonzalez was proud of the team's performance and said in the huddle, "The strongest team doesn't always advance, but the team with the most heart will win the match." When he asked his players, "Who wants it more?" They responded with an emphatic, "We do!"