BOX SCORE Sonoma State 1, Chico State 1 (F/2OT) -- Box Score

CHICO, Calif. -- Taylor Varnadore gave the Sonoma State men's soccer team a 1-0 lead just before halftime, but the Seawolves would be forced to play a man down for most of the second half due to a red card ejection just as the halftime whistle blew, allowing host Chico State to score an equalizer in the 56th minute.  Neither team would be able to score the go-ahead goal and after two scoreless overtimes, the Seawolves and Wildcats were forced into a 1-1 tie on Sunday at University Soccer Stadium in Chico. 

Winless in their last three matches, the Seawolves go to 5-2-2 and 4-1-2 in the CCAA.  The Wildcats have been unbeaten in their last five matches, moving to 5-2-2 overall and 4-1-2 in conference play.

Despite being outshot 10-5 in the opening period, Sonoma State was the only team to find the back of the net on a free kick from Varnadore at 42:14.  That would be the last shot the Seawolves would take offensively until 103:01 in the second overtime.  After the 45-minute whistle had blown, SSU's Kelly Davila was issued a straight red card, therefore, Sonoma State was forced to play with just 10 men on the field the rest of the way.

Thanks to the man advantage, Chico State outshot Sonoma State 9-0 in the second half, but only one of the nine shot attempts would sneak past goalkeeper Beau Diaz; a header by Jorge Cervantes after passes from Octavio Guzman and Matt Hurlow found Cervantes alone in front of the net to knot the match at 1-1.

Another red card would be issued in the match, but this time, it would even the playing field at 10 men per side after the Wildcats' Jake Ward was shown his second yellow card of the day at 83:34, forcing his ejection.

The first overtime would be uneventful on the field, as only shot was taken; an attempt Chico's Luis Martinez that was blocked at 91:09.  However, four fouls and two yellow cards would be issued in the first 10 minutes of extra time.  With just 10 minutes left to decide a winner or the result of a draw, both teams would each take a pair of shots, one on target and one blocked, but none would find the net, either, forcing the 1-1 draw.

Sonoma State was held shotless for 61:13 span of the match, accounting for the 22-7 advantage in shots in favor of Chico State, including 8-3 on goal.  Beau Diaz made six stops for the Seawolves four of which came in the final 65 minutes of the afternoon.  His counterpart, the Wildcats' Sam Evans made two saves.

Varnadore and Chris Pihl attempted two shots to lead SSU's offensive attack, while Akwafei Ajeakwa came off the bench to lead all attackers with five shots.

Sonoma State will return home to begin a four-match homestand, starting with a Friday afternoon tilt against UC San Diego, kicking off at 4:00 p.m. at the Seawolf Soccer Field.