Turlock’s professional soccer team Academica SC made a huge leap recently after they made their way into the National Premier Soccer League — what team President Simon Bettencourt says is similar to the Advanced Single-A of baseball, but for pro soccer. Established in 1972, the team has been working towards the progression of local soccer players — in an area filled with rich tradition and talent. They were playing in the LIGA NorCal before the recent ascent to the NPSL. “Looking at it with costs, especially the performance from last season, result-wise we took the plunge in August and said we are going to go for it for this upcoming season,” said Bettencourt.