LA JOLLA, Calif- Sonoma State junior Brandon Dela Cruz scored a goal in the first half to knot the game at one then netted the eventual game-winner just three minutes after halftime to give the No. 7 Seawolves a close 2-1 victory over UC San Diego in men's soccer action on Friday evening. Sonoma State remained undefeated at 9-0-2 on the season and 6-0-1 in conference play. The Tritons fell to 4-3-4 (1-3-3 CCAA).

UC San Diego drew first blood at 18:18 when Shane Micheil scored his third goal of the season upon taking a cross from David Bakal and heading it into the net for the early 1-0 lead. The Seawolves answered right back. Just four and a half minutes later, dela Cruz found the net when David Holleran served the ball into the goal box just at the goalmouth to tie the game at one apiece.

"UC San Diego came out ready to play and got the early goal," head coach Marcus Ziemer said. "After that, we settled in and started to control the game and we came right back and tied it up. It was important to get the equalizer before half."

Both teams had several scoring opportunities throughout the first 45 minutes, Sonoma State especially with a slight 9-7 shot advantage going into haltime, but neither team was able to convert.

Just 3:26 into the second half, Dela Cruz found the net for the second time of the evening after sprinting to an open area at the top of the 18 yard line and receiving a pass from Casey Bernard for the eventual game-winner.

"We took control of the game early in the second half and got the game winner," Ziemer added. "(Brandon) has has been on fire in training and we knew he was ready to score some goals, like he did tonight. I thought if we had scored a third one, that we could have taken the fight out of them, but you have to give them credit because they recovered and had some great looks at trying to tie up the match."

Both goal scorers of the match, Dela Cruz and Micheil, led all players with four shots apiece and Sonoma State senior goalkeeper Brook Johnson made a match-high nine saves in the tough victory at a hostile environment, including seven in the second half as the Tritons outshot the Seawolves 12-5 in the final 45 minutes and 19-14 overall.

"The amosphere was great," Ziemer said. "There were a lot of students right next to the field on couches and special bleachers that they brought out for them before the game. However, we also had a big crowd and our fans had more to cheer about. Any win on the road is a great win."

Sonoma State will travel to Cal State East Bay to take on the Pioneers, who are the newest member to the CCAA this season. Kickoff is set for Sunday at 2 p.m.

Box Score: #7 Sonoma State 2, UC San Diego 1