GOLD DRAWS SOL AFTER LATE GOAL

Sacramento Gold FC seemed destined to finally snap out of its slump, but a stoppage time goal by the Sonoma County Sol snatched away two points and ended the game with a 2-2 draw Saturday at Capital Christian High School.

Danny Cuevas scored two goals for Sacramento, his fourth and fifth of the season. The Gold, after not drawing a match all of last season, now have four ties in 2017.

It didn’t look like it would end all square at halftime. That’s because of Cuevas, who opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a rocket of a shot that sailed into the net from quite a distance away. Then, in the 38th minute, a scramble in front of the Sol goal was finally ended by Cuevas, who rammed the ball into the goal to make it 2-0 in favor of the Gold.

But then, Sonoma began to fight back. In the 58th minute, with Sacramento holding possession in the attacking third, the Sol stole the ball and quickly countered. Eventually, Omar Nuno finished off the chance with a quick shot that cut the lead to 2-1.

However, the Gold got some good news just seven minutes later, when Sonoma goalkeeper Sean Taufer stopped a Sacramento attack. The official ruled Taufer had touched the ball with his hands while out of the box, and issued him a red card, sending the Sol down to ten men.

Deep into stoppage time, with three points seemingly secured, Sonoma launched one final offensive and sent a long ball ahead. It managed to clear the defense and find the feet of Allan Estrada, who buried it home to break the hearts of the Gold.

The result leaves Sacramento and Sonoma still tied for second place in the Golden Gate Conference standings with ten points apiece. However, the Sol have one more game remaining than the Gold.

Sacramento Gold FC will try again to claim three points next Saturday, June 10, when they host Napa Valley 1839 for the first time. Kickoff is set for 7 pm at Capital Christian High School.