South San Francisco AC

SSFAC's 3rd season in the SWPL's Pacific Premier League was Terrific...Click Here for Story

The 2024-25 Season in the Pacific Premier League of the SWPL was a very successful one for South San Francisco A.C. It was filled with many exciting matches, euphoric wins as well as tough defeats, but the team accomplished a 3rd place finish in the 8 team league which was capped off with an tremedous win over their biggest rival Santa Clara Sporting that locked up the 3rd place finish.

It all began last September, and with some new clubs in the league, it looked to be a very competitive year....and it certainly didn't disappoint. SSFAC opened the season in great form as they picked up 3 straight wins, 4-1 over JASA RWC, 5-1 against Honduras U23, & 6-0 over Atletico San Jose FC on their field. Jack Snowdon was on fire as he contributed 3 goals and 2 assists with newcomers Eusebio Shemaj and Iulen Cabeza Gil finding their way onto the scoresheet, and Libardo Torres-Salazar collecting 2 goals against Honduras U23 which earned him SWPL's Player of the Week honors.

The momentum of those 3 opening wins would then see a challenge facing the team as In Motion FC, the eventual league champions, put a 1-0 loss on South City in what was an intense battle on the home field at El Camino High.

Next up was the battle number one between 2 old rivals....SSF traveled to San Jose to meet Santa Clara Sporting. It was just as expected, South City jumped out to a 2-0 advantage, but Sporting answered with a pair to bring the match even at the half. After trading goals in the 2nd half, SSF looked to have the game winner when Neehar Mukne scored in the 83rd minute to regain the lead at 4-3. However, Santa Clara wouldn't give in on their home field and found an equalizer just 2 minutes from full time to earn the 4-4 tie.

The following week was a trip to the "Bermuda Triangle" ...Cayetano Park in Livermore to face Dublin Celtic FC. A field that has always given SSF nightmares. This trip wouldn't change that feeling as Celtic exploded to a 4-1 halftime lead. Although SSF bounced back to make a game of it, the effort fell just a bit short in a frustrating 6-5 loss.

Needing a win to get the team back on track, South City beat up on JASA RWC before the Thanksgiving holiday with a 7-0 rout. Six different players scored with newcomer Kenta Hikino getting a pair. The team then readied itself for a pair of games prior to the winter holiday break. First up was Honduras U23 who they had beaten earlier in the season, but this encounter was marred by two Honduran players punching defender Avery Fisher, however no red cards were issued by the referee who chose to just show a yellow. A 3-2 halftime lead for SSF disappeared with 3 Honduran goals in the 2nd half all coming from the 2 players who should have been ejected.

The following week, Atletico San Jose FC came to town and an early South City lead didn't hold up and they found themselves down 2-1 at the half. As the second half played out, SSF was pushing hard to get back in the match and Sevag Halajian leveled the game at 2 on an assist from Greg Hui with 22 minutes remaining. SSF was battling on tired legs and very few subs and a goal from Atletico 4 minutes deep into stoppage time gave them the win and dashed South City's hopes of salvaging a tie.

After the holiday break and with the team rested and ready to get back on track, Dublin Celtic FC came to Colt Field looking to spoil things, but SSF responded with a solid 3-1 win that was really needed to lift their spirits. That set up the return match with league leader In Motion FC in San Francisco the next week. The match was very similar to the first one as both clubs went toe to toe in a scorelerss 1st half. As each team tried to put their stamp on this one, a couple of miscues from the South City defense led to In Motion hitting the net for 2 strikes in the 2-0 win.

SSFAC  now found themselves in 4th place having dropped 3 of their last 4 matches and needed a big time win in the season finale to move into 3rd place. In order to accomplish this, they had to knock off,....who else,... but their oldest rival Santa Clara Sporting who occupied the 3rd position. SSF needed a good start to establish their will on the game and put Sporting on their heels. They got what they wanted as Greg Hui and Junior Pedemonte both scored in the opening 20 minutes to get things rolling, but Sporting wasn't about to make this match an easy one as they countered 5 minutes later to draw within 2-1. Iulen Cabeza Gil upped the lead to 3-1 at the half and Aidan Durgerian put home a penalty kick in minute 55 to grow the lead to 4-1 and thnigs were definitely looking up. As has been the case every time these two clubs meet, the match was far from over. Sporting put on a furious push to get back in the game and goals at the 70th and 80th minute cut the lead to 4-3.

Now it was up to South City to gather themselves and finish out the match. Defenders Louy Lerebourg and Avery Fisher made numerous interceptions and tackles which included many herioc last ditch slide tackles to prevent Sporting any clear attempts at goal. In the closing minutes, Goalkeeper Adrian Monroy, who was brilliant all game long, came up with the game saving play deflecting a shot off the post to ensure the win for SSF. Finally, South City had the win they had coveted and the 3rd place fihish they had worked for and the 2024-25 season was closed with many smiles and a feeling of accomplishment shared within the team.

SSFAC saw some great individual moments turned in by players during the season.....The Southwest Player of the Week acknowledged 4 of the teams players during the season for their play which was the most by any team in the league. Honors went to Libardo Torres Salazar, Greg Hui, Avery Fisher & Aidan Durgerian. You need to score goals to get those wins, and SSF certainly did that finding the net 49 times this season, with 16 different players in the score column led by team leader Greg Hui who tallied 7 to along with 11 assists. Other scores came from a mixture of veteran players along with a solid core of newcomers. 1st year player Iulen Cabeza Gil made an impact with 6 strikes, followed by Jack Snowdon (4), Neehar Mukne (4), Brendan Cadam (3), Aidan Durgerian (3), Libardo Torres Salazar (2) and one each from Sully Donohue, Felipe Gonzalez & Jr. Pedemonte

Huge contributions came from another nucleus of newcomers with Eusebio Shemaj & Kenta Hikino both collecting 3 goals, with  Avery Fisher, Dan Lulseged, Sevag Halajian & Takao Yatagai all add one goal to the total. Quite an impressive perfomance from this group.

The team was prepared for every match all season long as they were guided by their oustanding coach Kevin Ma. Additioal players on the roster who filled in when needed and helped the club throughout the year when they were available....Sam Nadell, Miguel Franco, Chris Kyriacou, Michael Loiacono, Michael Wheaton, Djim Andemel, Prince Bere, Meyer Gorelick & Omeed Miraftab Salo.

Other team milestones reached..... a new face on top of the All Time Team Records page as Greg Hui now has 50 goals and 50 assists while playing for SSFAC, and Goalkeeper Adrian Monroy added 2 more shutouts to extend his total to 29 carrer clean sheets !!

Activity away from the pitch was also very exciting for SSFAC as they enjoyed participating in community events and were fortunate to have great sponsors providing support to the team. Molloy's Tavern "Since Before You Were Born" 1883, remains the official post game Tavern of SSFAC

                              CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION 

Columbia President Leo Pierini (R) makes the sponsorship of the South San Francisco Athletic Club soccer squad official with Coach Kevin Ma at a Board Meeting on September 12.

                               South City's Own..."THE BACK DOCTOR" ... DR. PAT CHENG

The Team also had their inaugural SSFAC Bocci Invitational on the courts at Orange Memorial Park, which was a huge success, and participated in the South San Francisco's Festa Italiana, a City wide event also at Orange Park 

Special Thanks goes to the Italian American Citizens Club of South San Francisco for their partnership and for hosting the Bocci tournament, and a shout out to our friends at Everything South City for providing our team the exposure needed to share our events and season results on thier Facebook Page. 

So, it was quite a season, and we look forward to the Fall of 2025 when SSFAC will again look to rise to the top of the Pacific Premier League Standings. Our sincere thank you to all who supported us, for their generosity, their partnership and for helping our club achieve their goals. We couldn't do it without you. !!!!