BOX SCORE:  Cal Poly Pomona 5, No. 25 Sonoma State 3

ROHNERT PARK, Calif-  Sonoma State opened up their 2010 CCAA campaign on Friday afternoon with a wild 5-3 defeat at the hands of Cal Poly Pomona at Seawolf Field in Rohnert Park.  The teams combined for seven first half goals, setting a record at Seawolf Field.  The loss drops the 25th-ranked Seawolves to 2-1-0, 0-1-0 CCAA on the season while the Broncos stay perfect at 3-0-0, 1-0-0 CCAA.

Sonoma got a pair of goals from freshman Taylor Varnadore and three assists from junior Cam Vickers, but big days from the Broncos' Luis Gonzalez and Daniel Gomez allowed Pomona to slide through.

Like all of the goals that would follow, the Broncos' first strike, in just the seventh minute, involved a breakaway as a long ball was played down the middle from Gomez to Gonzalez.  Gonzalez was able to shoot it past an oncoming Juan Sosa, making it 1-0.

The Seawolves would equalize in the 19th when Varnadore tallied his first collegiate goal, on a nicely headed free kick off the foot of Vickers. 

The duo combined again just over five minutes later when Vickers' cross was volleyed with the left foot into the left corner by Varnadore, the rookie from Analy High School in Sebastopol. 

Leading 2-1, the Seawolves wouldn't be able to rest on their laurels as the Broncos jumped back even in the 29th minute when Gonzalez got in a one-on-one with the 'keeper and beat him to the upper left. 

Pomona would surge ahead for good in the 32nd when Gonzalez eyed a streaking Justin Valashinas, sent them the ball, and saw it one-timed into the back of the net. 

Already on their heels, the Seawolves' defense would give up one more first half goal when Anthony Salcedo received a through ball from Gomez, dribbled it past Sosa and finished with a soft touch. 

The wild first half would not end before the Seawolves got one back as Trevor Hurst gathered a ball from Vickers and rocketed a left-footer to the far side, past the Broncos' Andrew Todd.

Things calmed down considerably in the second half as both teams had opportunities, but neither could find the goal.  Late in the match, the Seawolves had a great opportunity, one that would end up being their last.  Following a foul just outside the 18 with about four minutes to go, Hurst lifted a ball over the wall, but it sailed just high, over the crossbar.  Heading to the other side, the Broncos put the match out of reach as Wuta Beta joined the party after receiving a through ball from Tyler Reinhart and beating Sosa to the left.

The Seawolves would outshoot the Broncos in the match, 21-14, and the teams were tied in corner kicks, 6-6.  Cal Poly Pomona committed the lion's share of fouls, accounting for 29 of the 43 that were whistled in a very physical match.  In addition to the high foul count, eight yellow cards were shown, four to each team.

The Seawolves will look to re-group on Sunday, but it won't be an easy task as they host 10th-ranked Cal State San Bernardino (2-0-0 entering Friday's match at Humboldt State).

GAME NOTES:  With three assists, Cam Vickers moved past Andrew Bailey and in to fifth place on the all-time list; Vickers currently has 23 career assists (the all-time record of 33 is held by Eric Lafon)...the seven combined first half goals were the most recorded in a game played by Sonoma State since at least 1991...the last time Sonoma State gave up five goals in a game was 2006 (Cal State Dominguez Hills); the last time they yielded five at home was all the way back in 1998 (Chico State)...the Broncos beat the Seawolves in Rohnert Park for the first time since 1999...the Seawolves had a six game unbeaten streak against the Broncos snapped, but they still lead the all-time series, 9-8-1.