05/31/09

05.31.2009 | Men’s Soccer

Sol’s Depth Overwhelms Ambassadors For A 4-2 Comeback Win

The Sonoma County Sol undoubtedly had a difficult road trip weekend, playing in Southern Oregon on Saturday and back in Hayward, California on Sunday against one of the best teams in the Northwestern Division of the NPSL. Even with the adversity of copious amounts of travel, the Sol stuck out the weekend with a two hard-earned wins.

From the start of the game at Chabot College the Ambassadors made it clear they wanted nothing less than a victory. Their high pressure defense and dangerously quick offense challenged the Sol more than any team yet this year. The Ambassadors’ team relies on many local talents from top college soccer teams such as Cal, San Jose State, S.F. State and more. “The game was fast paced and a pleasure to watch—both teams played good soccer” Sol fan and father Bob Sandwina said of the match.

Some shaky moments in the first fifteen minutes for the Sol back line resulted in an unfortunate mishap that led to the Ambassadors first goal scored by Cristobal Montez. Off a long punt Sol defender Scott Preckwinkle headed the ball off fellow Sol defender Mickey Daly right in the path of an Ambassador forward who’s shot to the lower left corner was nearly deflected out by Sol goalkeeper J. C. Sosa.

The Sol responded just ten minutes later. Eric Larson played a ball into Nate Medina’s feet, he turned and took his man on, getting just enough space to rip a knuckling shot with his left into the upper right side of the net, making the score even at 1-1. The fast pace continued throughout the half. Sol made use of having two extra players in midfield by moving the ball quickly and utilizing outside midfielders Trevor Hurst and Eric Lafon for explosive counter-attacks.

Sol continued to create chances but the Ambassadors would get the next tally. On a lofted ball Sol defender Mickey Daly went up for a header just outside the penalty box and won it decisively but came down against the Ambassador forward’s back. “It wasn’t a foul,” Mickey Daly said later, “I went straight up and he didn’t even challenge; it was a bad call.” The resulting free kick by Jake Wilson was hit exceedingly well into the upper right corner of the Sol goal, just out of reach of goalkeeper J.C. Sosa. “I was over a little too far” Sosa commented.

Neither team relented in the final fifteen minutes before half but the score remained 2-1 for the Ambassadors when the whistle blew. Only one change for the Sol team at halftime as Adam Shields came in for Norm Crochetiere, moving Mickey Daly from center to outside-back. The high-pressure defense by the Ambassadors left the opposite side of the field open quite often—usually on the left—and the Sol left back Lee Sandwina exploited the weakness by bringing the ball up, taking on defenders, and looking for passes. “They let me have space so I took it and usually they paid for it. I don’t know why they didn’t change it up at halftime” Sandwina commented after the game.

Sixteen minutes into the second half Sol evened up the score once again. Steven Browne beat a player, got to the end line and sent a ball across the face of the goal to Eric Lafon who sent the ball into the back of the net just before the Ambassador goalkeeper and defender could get to him. “I was thinking “don’t screw up, don’t screw up, don’t screw up and then I didn’t screw up’” Lafon said laughing after the game about his third goal of the season.

The Ambassadors fought hard to create and for a stretch of ten minutes after the second Sol goal they railed shots and on a few attempts almost put another one in but J.C. Sosa was more than equal to the task, denying the Ambassadors any further satisfaction. With twenty-five minutes left to play Sol newcomer Chris Wright came onto the field for Nate Medina to try and prove his worth. Just five minutes later he netted his first goal. Steven Browne got his second assist of the night with a good pass to Wright at the top of the box. He took on two defenders, beat them to his left and curled the ball over the keeper and into the top left corner, putting the Sol in the lead 3-2.

With seven minutes left in the game Wright secured the Sol victory with his second goal. Eric Lafon got his team-leading sixth assist with an early cross into Wright who took one touch to his right and beat the rapidly advancing keeper with a shot to the lower left corner of the goal and putting the Sol up 4-2. “I just got in their and tried to make a difference for the team. I had good balls hit into me and I finished my chances” Wright said of his efforts after the game.

Sol would hold onto the 4-2 lead until the end of the match, improving their record to 8-0-2 for the year and further solidifying their place at the top of the Northwestern NPSL table. Adam Shields said of the game: “it was the most difficult match we’ve had this year, but we pulled it out and finished the weekend strong.” When asked how the Sol continues to win games head coach Benjamin Ziemer said “it’s because of our depth. Every player on this team matters and every player can play; the level doesn’t drop off when we go to the bench.”

The coming week and a half will be a grueling one for the Sol. A home game against Salinas Samba on Saturday at 7pm, an away match against Lamorinda Sunday at 3pm, followed by a road trip south for the first round of the biggest soccer tournament in the U.S.—the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup— where the Sol will be pitted against the Orange County Blue Stars in Irvine, California on Tuesday June 9th at 2pm.

Article Written by Lee Sandwina

(Sol Celebrate A Goal

Photo By Laura Arnold)