Box Score: Sonoma State 2, San Francisco State 1

SAN FRANCISCO- The Sonoma State men's soccer team has proven all season that they've been a second half team. It was no different on Friday afternoon. Down 1-0 heading into the final 45 minutes of regulation, Taylor Varnadore and Kelly Davila scored within four minutes of each other to steal an important 2-1 victory over San Francisco State at Crocker-Amazon Park in San Francisco.

The victory moves the Seawolves (11-5-1, 9-5-1 CCAA) within five points of North Division champion Chico State (13-4, 11-4 CCAA) and four points ahead of Cal State Stanislaus (8-5-4, 7-5-3 CCAA). Sonoma State, who is looking for it seventh consecutive berth into the CCAA Championship Tournament, sits in third place in the conference standings, two points ahead of Cal State Dominguez Hills and three points ahead of Cal State L.A., both of which play separate opponents later today.

"This was an incredible win today," head coach Marcus Ziemer said. "We showed a lot of character to come from behind again. (San Francisco State's) Coach (Joe) Hunter always gets them fired up to play us and it was a difficult first half."

The Gators put the Seawolves in an early deficit with a goal at 9:33 -- a header by Charles Conway following a throw in. San Francisco State continued its strong play through the opening half, outshooting Sonoma State 8-5 and holding a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.

With a sense of urgency, the Seawolves came out of halftime with intense emotion and Varnadore scored the equalizer at 57:03. He headed the ball over the head of SFSU goalkeeper Michael McNeill for the 1-1 score. Frank Becerril and Nico Spann were credited with the assists.

Only four minutes, 13 seconds later, Davila scored the go-ahead goal on a shot that found the upper left net. Sonoma State continued to pour on the shots; an 8-2 advantage in shots in the second half. Juan Sosa made two huge saves in the final half, giving him four on the afternoon. His counterpart, McNeill, made three stops.

Added Ziemer, "at halftime, we were able to reorganize and the boys really responded. It was a very physical game. We battled hard, but I was happy that we kept our composure."

Sonoma State is now outscoring its opponents 22-9 in the second half (37-24 overall).

All that remains in the regular season is a match at Cal State Monterey Bay on Sunday at 3 p.m. The top four teams in the conference standings after play on Sunday will qualify for the CCAA tournament next weekend at Turlock. Chico State, who wrapped up the North Division title with a win against Cal State Stanislaus on Thursday. A win against the Otters on Sunday, the Seawolves will clinch the fourth and final spot in the CCAA tournament.

"We aren't taking anything for granted and will be ready for (Cal State) Monterey Bay," said Ziemer. "We are peaking at the right time and we have a lot of players that can contribute."

Along with a shot at clinching a berth into the conference tournament, the Seawolves are looking to make an appearance in the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship Tournament for the fourth straight season. Sonoma State is tied for fourth in the official regional poll released earlier this week. The top four teams in the final poll due out after the conference championship tournament next weekend will compete in the NCAA tournament.