US Open Cup 2009 Champs

*Front Row Left to Right : Ross Middlemiss, Antonio Garcia, Lee Sandwina, Mickey Daly, Miguel Santoyo, Juan Carlos Sosa, Trevor Hurst, Nathan Medina, Steven Browne *Back Row Left to Right : Ben Ziemer, Tim Maycock, Shawn Percell, Eric Lafon, Eric Larson, Mike Nikol, Chris Daly, Adam Shields, Tyler Hurst, Brandon Boone, Alan Ramos

05.17.2009 | Men’s Soccer

2009 US Open Cup Region IV Champions!

Game One:

In the first game of the tournament the Sol got off to a slow start. Doxa-Italia (former Hollywood United FC) started the scoring first as a ball came in from the left side and a first time shot from the top of the eighteen beat Sol goalkeeper Tim Maycock.

The Sol was able to quickly rebound back with a goal before halftime. Following a scattering play the ball was fed out to Eric Larson who found Steven Browne in over the top behind the defense. Steven got to the ball while it was bouncing and placed it over the approaching keeper to tie the game at 1 goal apiece.

The second half was marked with chances by both sides. Doxa-Italia put the pressure on the Sol but was unable to come up with the game winner. They hit the post multiple times but could not find the net. Equally the Sol had several chances on goal but could not convert. Doxa-Italia suffered a red card late in game, which slowed them down in the attack. Both sides ended with disappointment but a draw was all that two very skillful teams could muster.

Game Two:

In the second game of the weekend the Sol faced off against NPSL southwest region SD United. The teams last met in the NPSL Regional Final last year with the Sol prevailing 3-1 in OT. The game was a physical match and SD United faltered early on receiving a red card following a brutal tackle.

In the first half, the Sol found the net off a cross from left back Lee Sandwina. Ross Middlemiss converted the cross with a first time shot beating the SD United keeper. The half ended 1-0.

In the second half the Sol began to break down the undermanned SD United. The second goal came as Eric Lafon got to the byline and sent a cross to Chris Daly who scored the header increasing the Sol lead. Shortly thereafter it was Miguel Santoya getting to the touchline to whip a cross into Shawn Percell who finished with his head. The final goal came as Miguel Santoya again found the assist. This time he played a through ball to Steven Browne who was making the run in behind. He found the ball and took the SD keeper on beating him and scoring into the empty net.

Game Three:

Heading into game three the Sol was in a good position to advance to the final. Given goal differential the Sol only needed to win their third game to advance to the Open Cup and to have an opportunity to advance in the USASA tournament. The Sol got off to an early start as left winger Trevor Hurst beat his man and attacked the goal. Hurst took a shot on frame but was denied by the keeper who punched the ball away only to see his save be counteracted by Shawn Percell who followed up with a rebound goal.

Later in the half it was Trevor Hurst creating the opportunity once again, as he was able to beat his man and go towards goal. Although the keeper made the initial save once more, this time it was midfielder Chris Daly collecting the ball and finding the net for the Sol.

At the half the Sol was up 2-0 and looking to close out the game in the second half but it was not as easy as they would have hoped for. Midway through the half it was Miguel Santoya scoring off a cross from Steven Browne, but was ruled offsides. There were several substitutions made for the Sol but they could not put the game out of reach in the second half. Late in the game FC Hasental found the net following an early cross as their forward Taylor Canel headed in a goal from near the six-yard box. Sol keeper Juan Carlos Sosa was caught in between as the ball sunk over his head and into the net.

After using all of their substitutions and suffering some injuries the Sol were able to keep their composure late in the game and end with a 2-1 victory. Their opponent FC Hasental was able to keep the ball often and attack the Sol near the end of the game but could not create the chances necessary to get a goal.

The other game in the flight ended with a 3-2 win for Doxa-italia but the Sol was granted advancement to the final based on goal differential. An outcome the Sol players welcomed based on their disappointment from last season when they did not advance after going 2-0-1 and allowing zero goals in the tournament.

Game four:

In the final game the Sol faced a visibly tired Miran FC from Indio, CA. Although Miran had some quality individual players the Sol was able to have their way and find the gaps against their opponent.

There were lots of chances for the Sol in the first half and they were able to come up with a late goal at the end of the first half. Again, it was Trevor Hurst creating the opportunity for the Sol. Following a breakdown of the play he was able to recover the ball and he got inside towards goal. He then took a shot from about 12 yards out which went off the underside of the crossbar and was ruled to cross the line based on the linesperson’s view of the play. The Sol was fortunate to get the first goal before the end of the half following several great chances during the half.

In the second half the Sol was able to score relatively early although Miran FC certainly entered the half with a newfound energy. This time it was Chris Daly scoring as Eric Larson found Steven Browne at the top of the box who flicked it around his defender to Daly who made a run into the box. Daly found himself one vs. one with the keeper and calmly scored the second goal of the game. Miran would eventually find a 90 minute goal to make it 2-1.

The Sol will now await the Open Cup draw to find out if they will be on the road for the first round of the tournament or if they will be able to host the first game. Additionally they will get to travel to the USASA National Championship in Florida. This tournament will take place in late July. More news to come soon….

Ben Ziemer On His Team’s Weekend Performance: “I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. The men deserve this win. It’s been three years since the last time we achieved this and it definitely makes up for last year’s unfortunate situation.”