Local team headed to NPSL Final Four

The Sonoma County Sol were headed for overtime Saturday night, their undefeated record and a trip to the National Premier Soccer League Final Four in jeopardy.

Coach Ben Ziemer couldn’t have been more confident.

“We have a tremendendous mentality and willingness to work for each other,” Ziemer said after the Sol’s thrilling 3-1 victory over San Diego United at Santa Rosa High. “And we keep the ball so much. They chased, and it was very evident they were tired.”

The Sol (7-0-3), champions of NSPL Northwest, outhustled and outlasted the Southwest champions, who finished 5-3-1.

Before a crowd of about 700, the Sonoma County team broke open the game with two goals in the first of two mandatory overtime periods.

Trevor Hurst put in a header on a corner kick from Daniel Garcia in the 93rd minute. Eight minutes later, Garcia drilled a goal from about 20 yards out. Hurst played at Piner High, Garcia at Rancho Cotate High, and both played at Santa Rosa JC.

After a scoreless first half, former Cardinal Newman standout Shawn Percell, at 30 the Sol’s oldest and most decorated player, gave his team a 1-0 lead in the 69th minute with an assist by Brandon Boone. But San Diego United tied it 14 minutes later on a rebound goal by substitute Scott Martin.

That was the only ball that got past Sol goalie Mason Hill-Harrill, who made three game-saving saves. “He was remarkable,” Ziemer said.

The Sol will play Aug. 2-3 in New York, though the precise location and three potential opponents were unknown as of Saturday night.

Ziemer said his team would get a day or two off, then work up to a mini-camp next weekend.

“We’ll try to keep our rhythm and increase our conditioning, because we’ll be playing back-to-back if we win,” the coach said. “Funds are limited, but I’d like to go out a day early and have Friday to get ready.”

The Sol lost in the national semifinals a year ago.