05/10/09

In the second game of the season, the Sonoma County Sol was able to top Real San Jose to celebrate a victory on a warm Mother’s Day afternoon in Santa Rosa. The Sol controlled most of the play throughout the game and got goals from three different players as the final whistle blew with Sol 3-1 over Real.

In the first half the Sol started a bit slow with many easy turnovers in ball possession. Real San Jose backed off and let the Sol build from their backline but there was a noticeable lack of sharpness with the Sol’s passing, something not often seen by a team which prides themselves on their technical abilities. As the game wore on though the Sol settled in and began to connect more consistently, finding the seams, and breaking down the Real San Jose defense.

In the 24th minute it was Steven Browne who found the net first for the Sol. The ball was played up the right side to Eric Lafon who took his defender on and then found Browne in the middle of the field. Steven carried the ball toward the opponent’s goal and let a rip from about 25 yards out which went off the right post and in.

As the half was coming to a close, Real San Jose found a ball in behind the back line of the Sol. Goalkeeper Juan Sosa came out to challenge at the edge of the box and was called for a questionable foul. On the ensuing penalty kick, Sosa went low to his right to dig out a nice save and keep the Sol in front heading into the half. Sosa had several nice saves on the day for the Sol and had a great overall performance in the 2nd victory of the season.

The second half of the game had some action almost immediately. In the 47th minute, again it was Eric Lafon getting to the end line to put a cross in to Chris Daly, who scored from just two yards out using his knee to get it in the net. Said Daly of the play, “it wasn’t the best looking goal I have ever scored but when you are that close to the goal you just want to make sure it goes in, no matter how its done”.

Just minutes later it was Real San Jose who got the game back in reach when a well-timed ball split the Sol defense and sent the San Jose forward racing towards the goal. Again Sosa came out strong but the forward then slipped the ball across the goal to his teammate who scored in the empty net. Later in the game Real San Jose would find some life again as the Sol were forced to play a man down but not because of a red card. With ten minutes remaining, Sol defender Antonio Garcia suffered an injury and had to come off, but the Sol had used all of their subs and were forced to finish the game a man down.

Despite being a man down the insurance goal came in the 87th minute as Adam Shields found Trevor Hurst on a transitional play. Following a foul on Real San Jose, Adam quickly set the ball and played a great ball over the top to Trevor who was one vs. one with his defender. Trevor collected the ball with a nice first touch and went at his man. After turning his defender around several times he went for goal with a nice shot from the top of the eighteen to the upper corner. This goal sealed the victory for the Sol.

Sonoma County Sol: JC Sosa, Tim Maycock (Scott Preckwinkle 55), Adam Shields, Antonio Garcia, Nathan Medina (Mike Nikol 75), Eric Lafon (Trevor Hurst 62), Eric Larson, Steven Browne (Chris Daly 45), Shawn Percell (Daniel Garcia 60), Lee Sandwina (Tyler Hurst 45), Ross Middlemiss (Brandon Boone 68)

Score Sheet: Sol: Steven Browne (Eric Lafon) – 24

Sol: Chris Daly (Eric Lafon) – 47

Real: UNKNOWN – 51

Sol: Trevor Hurst (Adam Shields) – 87

Game Quotes:

Coach Benjamin Ziemer said, “It was a slow start but we picked up the play through the game and we came out with the win which is always good. It was nice to get all of the players some time in the game as we prepare for the Open Cup next weekend. We are continuing to improve and score goals, and we believe we have a great opportunity in the upcoming tournament”.

05.10.2009 | Men’s Soccer

Sol Victorious On Mother’s Day!