Box Score: Sonoma State 1, San Francisco 0 (exhibition)

ROHNERT PARK, Calif- Sophomore Taylor Varnadore, last year's California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Freshman of the Year, took advantage of an early miscue by the University of San Francisco defense and headed the ball into the net, helping Sonoma State to a 1-0 victory over the visiting NCAA Division I squad in exhibition action on Thursday evening in Rohnert Park.

For the Seawolves, it was their first win over a Division I school since 2008 when SSU defeated Stanford, 2-1 -- also in exhibition play.

"That was a good starting point," head coach Marcus Ziemer said. "It was a very physical game, but I was proud of how we battled and kept our composure. Overall, I thought that we moved the ball pretty well, but we will just keep working and improving."

Varnadore put Sonoma State up early with his goal just 8:22 into the match. The San Francisco defense passed back to their goalkeeper, Jojo Vitale, but Vitale couldn't corral the ball. Varnadore was forcing pressure on Vitale at the time and was able to take the rebound off Vitale and head it into the net for the 1-0 advantage. It was the start of a dominating half for Ziemer's eleven, as the Seawolves outshot the Dons, 9-2, and led 6-0 in corner kicks in just the opening 45 minutes.

Following the intermission, San Francisco came out with a little bit more aggression, outshooting Sonoma State, 6-2, in the second half, but Seawolves starting keeper Andrew Ball and the defense held their own.

"Our defense was outstanding," Ziemer added. "Kyle Honaker and Trevor Tennant had their hands full in the center of defense, but they handled it and Brian Angel and Frank Becerril were solid on the outside."

Ball made two saves in his shutout effort. Ebby Lombardi added three shots for the SSU offense and Sean Callahan attempted two. The Seawolves led in shots for the match, 11-8.

Thursday's match kicks off the Sonoma State Men's Soccer Alumni Celebration, which will take place over the next two days. The team will hold a golf tournament, open to the public, on Friday at Oakmont Golf Course in Santa Rosa. The tournament will begin at 1 p.m. with a dinner following the round. The alumni game will be played on Saturday, starting at 12 p.m. at the Seawolf Soccer Field. Admission is free. The weekend will then conclude on Sunday when the Seawolves take on Santa Rosa JC at Noon, also at the Seawolf Soccer Field.

For more information about the 2011 Sonoma State Men's Soccer Alumni Celebration, visit sonomaseawolves.com/alumniweekend.