BOX SCORE Sonoma State 1, Cal State Monterey Bay 0

SEASIDE, Calif- Taylor Varnadore scored his team-leading 10th goal of the season just five minutes into the match and goalkeeper Taylor Jones, along with the Sonoma State defense, held on for dear life to escape Seaside with a narrow 1-0 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay at the Otter Sports Complex on Friday afternoon. The Seawolves (8-4-1, 7-3-1 CCAA; 22 points) remain atop the CCAA North Division standings by two points over Chico State (7-3-3, 6-3-2 CCAA; 20 points). The Otters fall to 5-6-1 and 5-5-1 in conference play.

Five matches remain for Sonoma State in the regular season, as the Seawolves will again be fighting for one of four spots in the CCAA Championship Tournament on Nov. 4-6 in Turlock. SSU, the defending CCAA tournament champions, has made seven consecutive conference tournament apperances, and 10 showings in the last 11 seasons.

"It was a solid and professional win, we just got it done," SSU head coach Marcus Ziemer said. "We controlled a lot of the game, but (Cal State Monterey Bay) really pressured us at the end. They are a tough team to play at home. They have a great home record and we knew that coming in."

Ziemer added, "Our ball possession was really good for about 60 minutes, but then they really pressured us. They played long and created some chances, mostly off long throw-ins and free kicks, but we did a great job of handling that."

It was a relatively defensive match for both teams, as only 14 shots were attempted between Sonoma State and Cal State Monterey Bay, combined. However, it was the Otters who held the upper hand in that category, just 8-6, for the match. The hosts would attempt the first shot of the game at the 3:16 mark, but Jones made the stop.

Two minutes later, Sonoma State connected for what would end up being the game-winner, just 5:08 into Friday's battle. Nico Spann and Trevor Hurst teamed up to get the ball into Varnadore, who then sent it home for the 1-0 Seawolf lead.

Only six more shots would be attempted in the first half, three by each team. The second half was more of the same, but Cal State Monterey Bay held the powerful Sonoma State offense to just two shots in the final 45 minutes, while attempting four shots. Neither team would score again and the Seawolves would hold on to win their second straight match.

"Varnadore scored a nice goal...with his feet," chuckled Ziemer, "and we made (the goal) hold up. It wasn't an outstanding game, but it was a win."

Hurst attempted two of SSU's six shots to lead the visitors. Varnadore, who led the CCAA in attempted shots going into Friday's match with 47 (4.27 per game), was held to just one shot. Unfortunately for the Otters, it was the only shot that counted. Jones improved to 2-0-1 as the goalkeeper of record since moving from a forward position last weekend, saving two shots and recording his first career shutout.

"Jones played well in goal for us and Frank Becerril came in and played well in the second half at outside back," Ziemer added. "Sean Callahan also came off the bench and played really well, so our depth paid off today."

"We are expecting a good game on Sunday. I know (Cal State East Bay) will be fired up to play us again (after SSU won 9-0 earlier this season). We will have a good training tomorrow and we'll be ready to go."

Sonoma State will travel east to Hayward on Sunday to face Cal State East Bay. First kick is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. In the last meeting between the two squads, the Seawolves' offense blasted the Pioneers for nine goals in a 9-0 blowout, back on Sept. 16 in Rohnert Park.