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Sonoma State University Athletics

Sara Studer

Women's Soccer

Studer, Catania Lead Seawolves To Victory Over Dixie State

Senior Sara Studer scored her first goal of 2012, and the sixth of her career, in Saturday's win at Dixie State.
BOX SCORE Sonoma State 2, at Dixie State 1 -- Box Score

ST. GEORGE, Utah -- Host Dixie State scored a goal with 17 seconds left in the match to pull within one, but earlier goals by Sonoma State's Sara Studer and Elena Catania would be the difference as the Seawolves held on for a 2-1 victory over the Red Storm on Saturday morning at Hansen Stadium in St. George, Utah.  SSU will leave Utah with a pair of wins to open the season while DSC falls to 0-1-1.

The Seawolves controlled much of the game, outshooting the Red Storm 24-11, including 12-5 on goal.  When it looked like Sonoma State would hold on for the shutout, Dixie State's Kelsey Hansen struck for a goal on a shot from 12 yards out with just 17 seconds left in regulation.  It would be the final scoring opportunity for the Red Storm, however.

Studer gave Sonoma State the 1-0 lead at 31:01 when she headed in a deflected shot by Megan Foy for her first goal of the 2012 campaign.  Despite a 13-3 shot advantage in the first 45 minutes, the Seawolves could only find the net once before the intermission.  Ten minutes into the second half, Ashley Martin centered a pass to Catania, and Catania blasted a shot from 10 yards out, beating Dixie State keeper Abby Johnson for the 2-0 lead.

Dixie State would create some chances late, but Sonoma State would hold tight until the hosts snuck through the defense and netted their one and only goal at 89:43 to close the gap to just one goal.  The 2-1 score would hold up, however, allowing Emiria Salzmann Dunn and crew to open with two victories at the Dixie State Kickoff Classic.

Alexis Sciacqua made four saves for the Seawolves on Saturday as she improves to 15-15-7 in her career as the goalkeeper of record.  Studer led all players with five shots while JJ McFarlin and Cara Curtin attempted three.  Catania's only shot attempt found the net, of which would prove to be a huge insurance goal for SSU.

Meanwhile, Johnson made nine saves between the posts for the Red Storm on the other end of the field, and offensively, three DSC players fired two shots each.

Sonoma State will now open up California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play on Friday when it travels to Seaside to play Cal State Monterey Bay.  Kickoff from the CSUMB Soccer Complex is set for 12:30 p.m.