BOX SCORE Sonoma State 2, Cal State Monterey Bay 0

SEASIDE, Calif- Ashley Martin gave Sonoma State an early boost with a goal just 7:12 into the match and Macy Usher added an insurance goal just before halftime, pushing the Seawolves to a 7-3-1 record in the CCAA (7-5-1 overall) with a 2-0 shutout victory over Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday afternoon at the Otter Sports Complex. The Otters fall to 2-10-0 and 1-10-0 in the conference play.

"We knew Cal State Monterey Bay was going to be a better team the second time around," SSU head coach Emiria Salzmann said. "So we are very happy to get another three points on the road and other shutout for Alexis Sciacqua."

After starting the 2011 regular season on a four-match winless streak, the Seawolves (22 points) have turned it around, winning seven of their last nine matches to extend their lead in the CCAA North Division standings over second-place Cal State Stanislaus (6-3-4, 5-3-3 CCAA; 18 points) by four points. Chico State (5-5-3, 5-4-2 CCAA; 17 points) fell to third place with a loss on Friday. With five matches to play in the regular season, Sonoma State is hoping to clinch one of four spots in the CCAA Championships Tournament on Nov. 4-6 in Turlock for the first time since 2008.

Martin got Sonoma State off on the right foot, as she headed in a Sara Studer corner kick at the 7:12 mark to put the visitors up 1-0 early. It was the beginning of an offensive barrage by the Seawolves, as they outshot the Otters 12-3 in the first half and 19-6 for the entire match, including 14-2 on goal.

Sonoma's 12th and final shot of the first half also found netting. This time, it followed a turnover by the Cal State Monterey Bay defense right in front of their own goal. Usher was able take possession of the ball and find the net from point blank range to give the Seawolves the 2-0 lead at the halftime break.

In the second half, SSU kept the pressure on the CSUMB defense, attempting seven of the ten shots in the final 45 minutes. The Otters played both Diana Zambrano and Kendra Gillio between the posts, as the two made six saves each. However, Zambrano gave up both goals while Gillio kept the Seawolves out of the net.

Megan Cunningham led the assault on the Otter defense, firing a match-high four shots, three of which were stopped by Cal State Monterey Bay netminders. Usher came off the bench to sling three attempts, one of which found the net. Scaicqua made two saves and secured her sixth shutout of the season.

Two of the six shots for Cal State Monterey Bay came off the foot of Marlina Massagli, which led the Otters.

Sonoma State will head east of the bay on Sunday to take on Cal State East Bay. First kick from Hayward is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.