ROHNERT PARK -- After a scoreless first half, the Sonoma State men's soccer team netted two goals early in the second half and went on to defeat visiting Chico State, 2-0, on Sunday at the Seawolf Soccer Field in Rohnert Park. 

The Seawolves have won two straight, improving to 5-2-1 overall and are just three points back of first place with six, posting a 2-2-0 record in CCAA action.  The Wildcats fell to 3-3-1 and 1-1-0 in conference play.

Chico would hold the overall shot advantage in the contest, 12-10, including 6-4 on goal, but the work of TJ Perez and Brenton Frame is what ultimately mattered.  At 50:53, Perez scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season after taking passes from Ryan Rohane and Josh Sanchez in the box.  With his fifth goal, Perez is tied for third in the CCAA in scoring.

Sixteen minutes later, at 66:33, Frame drilled a shot from 25 yards out that angled around Chico goalkeeper Triston Montoya and into the right corner of the net for the 2-0 lead.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the field, Mitch North continued his dominance between the posts, making six incredible saves to increase his CCAA-leading tally to 37.

Quotes from head coach Marcus Ziemer:

"Chico is always really tough so that is a good win.  I thought our defense played well and Mitch made a couple of great saves. Ryan (Rohane) and Dylan Stafford have formed a nice partnership in the center and Nick Godfrey and Dane Shaffar have been very steady on both sides of the ball."

"After losing two games down south (last weekend), it was important for us to get back on a win streak and get our confidence back.  I think that we have accomplished that after today.

"TJ (Perez) has been very dangerous and he doesn't need many chances to get his goal.  That was an important one for us.  Brenton's goal was a wonder goal.  He bent it far post from 25 yards out."

"We managed the end of the game very well.  A combination of keeping the ball and making them chase and hitting it long and out of danger."

"Our team is very deep. We are able to start different guys and keep players fresh and hungry and then we are bringing in players with a lot of experience into games."

Next Up:

Sonoma State will hit the road again next weekend for two games, beginning with a Friday tilt against San Francisco State at 3:00 pm.  The Seawolves will then play at Cal State Monterey Bay on Sunday before returning home for a non-conference match against Notre Dame de Namur on Oct. 7.