BOX SCORE Sonoma State 2, Cal State East Bay 1 (2OT) -- Box Score

HAYWARD, Calif. -- Taylor Varnadore, the reigning CCAA Player of the Week after scoring all 10 points in the team's games last week, came through clutch again on Friday, scoring the equalizer with 6:20 left in regulation, then netting the game-winner with just 1:18 left in double overtime to give the Sonoma State men's soccer team a thrilling 2-1 victory over host Cal State Easy Bay in Hayward.

Due to a forfeiture of several games by Cal State Monterey Bay, when it was determined that an ineligible player participated in three of its games this season, the Seawolves automatically captured the CCAA North Division title and clinched the fourth and final spot in next weekend's CCAA Championship Tournament in Turlock, the announcement was made by the conference office Friday afternoon.

Read the CCAA's official press release here.

With the victory, Sonoma State improves to 9-4-4 overall and 8-4-3 in conference play with its fourth straight win; the Seawolves are also unbeaten in their last seven contests.

"That was another incredible win," said SSU head coach Marcus Ziemer.  "This team just won't quit.  We had no idea about the (Cal State) Monterey Bay forfeits until after the game so we thought we had to win and we played like it.  We just want to keep it rolling. We don't want this season to end."

It was against the same team, at the same place, with the same result, but it was a different hero for SSU as the team beat Cal State East Bay in double overtime for the second time this season.  In the first matchup between the Seawolves and Pioneers back on Sept. 22, Raspreet Sandhu netted the golden goal with 2:30 left in the second overtime.  This time around, it was Varnadore to come up big.  Twice.

While Sonoma State dominated the entire game, it was Cal State East Bay to score first.  At 69:52, Chris Lara took a cross from Steffen Sauer and finished into the corner of the net for the Pioneers' 1-0 lead.  Outshooting the hosts 17-11 with under 10 minutes left in regulation, Varnadore got Sonoma's 18th shot to count, a free kick from 12 yards out that angled into the right side of the net for the 1-1 tie at 83:40.  The Seawolves took two more shots in the final four minutes, but neither would find netting.

In the second overtime, Varnadore broke through for the game-winner, his fourth of the season, when Nico Spann fired a shot that was saved by CSUEB's Bryce Bookhamer, but it would bounce to the feet of Varnadore, who finished from 18 yards out to send Sonoma State into a frenzy.

When the dust settled, Sonoma State had outshot Cal State East Bay 26-12, including 17-6 after halftime.  Bookhamer made 12 saves in the contest, while Sonoma's Beau Diaz made four stops.  Ten of SSU's 26 shots came off the foot/head of Varnadore.

"Varnadore has been incredible," Ziemer added.  "What a streak he is on."

The senior from Sebastopol has now scored 11 of Sonoma State's 21 goals this season, including 10 of the Seawolves' last 14 goals, all in the last seven games.  He is the CCAA's second-leading scorer behind Humboldt State's Zach Hammond, who has 13 on the year.

"We are back in the CCAA tournament," Ziemer said.  "At one point we were on a tough steak, but we never gave up and kept working together.  I'm really proud of this team.  The seniors have been incredible.  They have showed amazing leadership and kept everybody working and playing for the team."

"We aren't happy just being in the CCAA tournament," said Ziemer.  "We want to win it."

Sonoma State will wrap up the regular season on Sunday when it travels to Arcata to take on Humboldt State at 2:00 pm.  With the Seawolves clinching a spot in the CCAA tournament next weekend, they will join Cal State L.A., Chico State and UC San Diego in the four-team event.  Times and matchups have yet to be determined/announced, that information will be released on Sunday or Monday.