San Luis Obispo Youth Soccer Team Shines at Regional Tournament

The 'Shooting Stars' AYSO squad finishes third at prestigious Western States Championships

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:54am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a youth soccer match, with overlapping planes of color and form representing the players and the action on the field.The Shooting Stars' inspiring run to the Western States Championships podium showcases the power of community-based youth sports to unite a town and produce remarkable athletic achievements.San Luis Obispo Today

A local American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) girls team from San Luis Obispo, the 'Shooting Stars,' capped off an impressive season by finishing third overall at the Western States Championships, one of the top youth soccer competitions in the region. The team's journey began with a dominant regular season and continued through the Damon-Garcia Cup, Sectional playoffs, and ultimately the Western States Championships, where they faced off against elite competition from across multiple states.

Why it matters

The Shooting Stars' success reflects the strength of AYSO's all-volunteer model and the power of community-based youth sports to bring people together and inspire a town. Their third-place finish at the prestigious Western States Championships is a rare achievement for a San Luis Obispo AYSO team, occurring only every few years.

The details

The 11-player Shooting Stars roster went undefeated across five games at the Western States Championships, emerging as one of the top teams among more than 12,000 players in their region. The team didn't rely on just one standout player but succeeded through a cohesive team effort, with contributions from players like Ruby, Charlotte, Sierra, Clara, Hazel, Sophia, Hana, Emerson, Lydia, Natalie, and Zuria. Coaches Jordan Wipf and Doug Slocum were praised for their calm, supportive leadership style.

  • The Shooting Stars had a dominant regular season, losing just one game.
  • The team advanced through the Damon-Garcia Cup undefeated.
  • The Shooting Stars competed in the Sectional playoffs held in Bakersfield over Valentine's Day weekend.
  • The Western States Championships took place on March 14 and 15.

The players

Ruby

A Shooting Stars player who delivered the game-winning goal during a dramatic shootout at the Western States Championships.

Charlotte

A powerful playmaker for the Shooting Stars.

Sierra

A powerful playmaker for the Shooting Stars.

Clara

The Shooting Stars' goalkeeper who rose to the occasion during the championship push.

Jordan Wipf

One of the Shooting Stars' coaches, praised for his calm, supportive leadership style.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The Shooting Stars' success at the Western States Championships showcases the power of community-based youth sports to bring people together, inspire a town, and produce remarkable achievements. Their third-place finish is a rare accomplishment for a San Luis Obispo AYSO team, demonstrating the strength of the all-volunteer model and the dedication of coaches, families, and the young athletes themselves.