GOLDEN GATE CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREVIEW #1

Sonoma County Sol (Home) vs. East Bay FC Stompers (Away)

Game Details: Saturday, July 9, 7:00 pm at Santa Rosa High School in Santa Rosa

Ticket Details: $12.50 for adults, $7.50 for ages 12 and under

Sonoma County Sol

The Sonoma County Sol have set the standard for consistency and success with seven conference titles, one national title, and two national title game appearances as part of their winning legacy.

Offense: The Sol, a team that finished first in the conference with a record of 8-4-2, features a potent offense where 14 players scored during the regular season.  The leader among the group is forward Diego “Toluca” Lopez with nine goals and five assists.

Defense: Outside back Nicholas “Ebby” Lombardi, who has played in the German fourth division, anchors the defense.  Sean Taufer is a solid presence between the posts and finished with one clean sheet in the regular season.

Notable Quote:  “It’s been a very different season for Sol than the last couple years. Several of our veteran players who brought us to our 2009 National Championship and two other appearances in the final have not been as present due to retirement, injury, and other life commitments. But tremendous contributions to the squad from young players like Noah Paravacini, Diego Looez, Marco Barragan and journeyman players like Nico Spann, Taylor Varnadore, and Brenton Frame stepping up to become team leaders on the pitch has led to another conference title for the Sol, bringing our total to seven.  This bodes well for Sol for the future.” – Greg Volker, Sonoma County Sol

East Bay FC Stompers

The Stompers will make their first playoff appearance this weekend after finishing with a 6-4-4 record in the regular season.

Offense: Striker Khalid Arramdani leads the East Bay offense with five goals and three assists.

Defense: Defender Emanuel Vazquez started all 14 games and is considered to be the anchor of the Stompers backline.  He is supported by a dynamic pair of goalkeepers, Jose Majano and Alex Valdovinos.  Majano had two clean sheets on his own and split a third with Valdovinos.

Notable Quote: “We’re not just happy to be here for the first time. Our entire organization is fired up for the challenge of seeing just how far we can take this run, and we think that we’re getting hot on the field at exactly the right time. Sonoma County has played us hard all season, and we’re looking forward to this weekend’s match as our first test of the 2016 NPSL playoffs.” – Terry Forte, Stompers team president