ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- 92 minutes after he was honored in a pre-game Senior Day ceremony,
Zanin Mahic displayed some veteran headiness, using a quick start on a free kick right outside the box to set up
Michel Arroyo with the game-winner in a 2-1 win over 8th-ranked Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday afternoon. The win assures the Seawolves of at least a .500 record for the 23rd time in 24 years under head coach
Marcus Ziemer as the Seawolves go into Thursday's season finale at 8-7-2, 3-5-2 CCAA. The Broncos, ranked first in last week's NCAA West Region rankings, fall to 15-1-1, 9-1-0 CCAA.
Despite the win, the Seawolves were eliminated from postseason contention when Cal State Stanislaus defeated Cal State Dominguez Hills in double overtime.
Sonoma State got on the board in the 21st minute when
Dane Shaffar's effort from the left wing slipped through the outstretched hands of Bronco goalkeeper Fernando Pablo Quevedo. It was the first collegiate goal for the sophomore from Pleasanton.
The Seawolves' defense did a stellar job holding a high-powered Cal Poly Pomona offense at bay. Bolstering the unit was a welcomed return from
Ryan Rohane, who had been out since the Humboldt State game in late September. Said Ziemer, "
It was great to get Ryan back. Nick Godfrey has been excellent while Ryan was out, but after a serious injury, it was great to see Rohane back on the pitch."Despite the best efforts of the defense, the Broncos found the equalizer in the 87th minute when Luis Najera's cross in the box was met by Daniel Garcia and poked into the net.
Said Ziemer, "Pomona was very good...and very similar to us. They build from the back, keep the ball on the ground and win through ball possession. Even when they were behind, they were patient and stayed with the plan."
Just over two minutes into the first overtime, following a foul just outside the box, Mahic quickly placed the ball and fed it to Arroyo who was able to slot it past Quevedo, setting off a frenzied celebration and leaving the previously unbeaten Broncos stunned.
Commented Ziemer, "We're way better than our record would indicate.
Unfortunately the season hasn't gone as well as we had hoped in terms of wins and losses, but we have kept battling and have stayed together as a team. Even guys that haven't played much are working their butts off in training and supporting the guys on the field. We have been in just about every game, but the bounces just haven't gone our way. We will miss seniors Zanin Mahic and Chris Pihl, but we are very young and the future is really bright!"The Seawolves will close out the 2014 season on Thursday at San Francisco State.
