ROHNERT PARK, Calif- Andrew Bailey headed in the game-winner with just nineteen seconds left in double overtime to give Sonoma State a miraculous 1-0 win over Humboldt State on Wednesday afternoon in Rohnert Park. The win pushes SSU's league-leading record to 10-4-0, 9-1-0 CCAA. The 'Jacks fall to 8-4-2, 4-4-2 CCAA.
Just seconds away from their first tie of the season, the Sonoma State men's soccer team turned to All-Region stars Brett Cook and Andrew Bailey to make something happen. On what would be their last opportunity of the game, Cook booted the ball a good 40 yards down the field to an open area 15 yards in front of the HSU goal. Bailey broke on the ball as did HSU's goalkeeper Drew Ryan. The resulting collision left Bailey with a bloodied nose, but more imporantly enough of the ball to direct it into the open net. The goal set off a frenzied on field celebration for the conference leading Seawolves.
Said SSU head coach Marcus Ziemer, "We showed a lot of character in this one. We had chances to put the game away, but couldn't."
Though SSU controlled play throughout, as evidenced by a 23-11 shot advantage, they were unable to capitalize. Part of this was due to the excellent play of Ryan, the Lumberjack goalkeeper, but several other opportunities went wide or hit the rim of the goal.
Sonoma State had an 11-3 advantage in corner kicks and outfouled the 'Jacks, 22-20. The game also featured six yellow cards and one red. Humboldt played the final 37 minutes with ten players after Mark Nelson was sent off in the 73rd minute.
Perhaps the best goal opportunity in regulation came late in the second half when HSU's Andres Ripa got a perfect feed and headed up the field for a one-on-one with SSU keeper Brook Johnson. However, Johnson made a fantastic save, one of several on the day for him, to preserve the tie. Said Ziemer, "Brook came up huge for us today."
Bailey's goal was his team-high eighth of the season.
The Seawolves will return to action on Friday when they host Cal State Monterey Bay.
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