Marco Lopez
July 13, 2010—10:31 a.m. EST

WEST SACRAMENTO, Ca.—Sacramento Gold FC (9-1-2) will host the Northwest Region Championship match on Sunday July 18, 2010 at 7pm at River City High School in West Sacramento Ca. They will face off against San Diego Boca. The winner will advance to the NPSL Final Four Tournament.

Sacramento Gold FC is coming off of a solid victory after defeating Bay Area Ambassadors 6-3 this past Sunday before an estimated crowd of 650 warm weather fans. In a well-balanced attack, Sacramento imposed an aggressive pace.

Pedro Lupercio opened up the scoring in the 25th minute with a 30-yard shot that sailed over the Ambassador goalkeeper Sergio Valle. Bay Area responded 3 minutes later, after Stefan Clemens tied up the score.

Adam Owens scored his first goal of the season in the 34th minute, after Manolo Piña’ shot was fumbled by the goalie. From that point on Sacramento never looked back. Marcos Ramirez increased the score in the 45th minute off of an assist by Rene Piña. Sacramento led 3-1 at the half way mark.

The second half gave the fans a flurry of goals. Ernesto Carranza’ quick pounce on a loose ball forced the goalkeeper into committing the dreaded penalty kick. In the 55th minute Manolo Piña stepped up and converted the shot after Valle denied his initial effort. With the conversion Manolo brings his NPSL leading total to 13 goals.

Coming off of the bench Clemente Fonseca dazzled the crowd in the 69th minute with an acrobatic scissor kick from 20 yards out. His effort increased the score 6-1, while adding his 6th goal of the season.

Bay Area looked to make a come back after Jordan Leslie hit a free kick in the 80th minute to bring the score to 6-2.

Not wanting to be outshined by Fonseca’ goal Jeff Neuner hit a rocket of a shot from 35 yards out in the 85th minute.

In an act of perseverance, Ambassadors refused to go down without a fight. Ultimately in the 90th minute their hard work paid off after Jordan Grider snuck one past the Sacramento side.

With time running out, Sacramento won 6-3 and thus advances to the championship match.

In the other Northwest Region semi-final match, San Diego Boca defeated Real San Jose 4-0. This will be the third encounter of the 2010 season between Boca and Sacramento. Sacramento Gold FC leads the season series 2-0. 

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