Thriller ends in loss for Sonoma County Sol

Sonoma County Sol’s dream of a second National Premier Soccer League title ended Saturday night at Santa Rosa High as CD Aguiluchos ousted the local team in a game decided by penalty kicks.

After the teams battled on even terms through the end of regulation and two overtime periods, the visitors from Oakland converted nine penalty kicks while the Sol made good on only eight.

The victory by Aguiluchos was the first in four tries against the Sol this year.

“It’s pretty much a heartbreaking loss,” coach Vinnie Cortezzo said. “It was three weeks between games for us and we played like it.

“We weren’t as sharp as we needed to be.”

The score was 1-1 at the end of regulation. Sol scored in the first overtime period and Aguiluchos pulled even with one minute remaining in the second extra period.

Tyler Hurst (Santa Rosa JC) put Sol ahead 1-0 in the 35th minute. Aguiluchos then tied the game five minutes into the second half.

Brandon Boone (Sonoma State) scored Sol’s second goal.

In earlier games between the semipro teams, Sol had won by scores of 2-1, 4-3 and 3-1.

Sol’s final record is 10-3.

The Sonoma County team was attempting to win the national title for a second time after going all the way in 2009. The Sol were NPSL runners-up twice, in 2013 and 2005.