ROHNERT PARK -- Despite playing with just 10 men on the field for the final 37 minutes, the Sonoma State men's soccer team scored a goal in the 65th minute to knot the match at 2-2 and later force extra time, but 3:37 into the overtime period, Humboldt State's Chuck Pitts put the cap on his hat trick with the game-winner to give the visitors a stunning 3-2 victory over the host Seawolves on Sunday at the Seawolf Soccer Field. 

Sonoma falls to 6-3-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the CCAA while Humboldt rises to 6-1-1 and 2-0-0 in conference play.

"That was a tough loss, but you have to give Humboldt State credit," said SSU head coach marcus Ziemer.  "They were well organized and worked very hard."

It didn't take long for the Lumberjacks to break the scoreless tie.  At the 4:07 mark, Pitts found the net for the first of what would be three goals on the day after taking a pass from Braxton Griffin.  It would remain 1-0 in favor of HSU until the second half, even though SSU held a 6-3 shot advantage.

Just 70 seconds into the second half, Armando Coronel evened the score at 1-1, thanks to a nice entry pass from Brenton Frame.  However, 10 minutes later, the tables turned and on a Humboldt State breakaway, Sonoma State defender Dylan Stafford was whistled for a foul in the box and was shown a red card, forcing Sonoma State to play a man down the rest of the way. 

On the ensuing penalty kick by HSU, Griffin ripped a shot low and left, but SSU goalkeeper Sean Taufer came up big, making a fingertip save at the last second, but it would roll past the end line and give the 'Jacks a corner kick.  That's when Connor Wilkinson lifted the kick into the box, grazed the head of Griffin at the near post, landing at foot of Pitts at the far post where he connected on the one-timer to give Humboldt State the 2-1 lead at 57:37.

The Seawolves were able to net the equalizer just under seven minutes later at 64:08 when Frame scored after nifty passing by Sean Callahan and Josh Sanchez deep in HSU territory and the game would remain tied 2-2 the rest of regulation, forcing the overtime period. 

"I was proud of how our guys battled back after going down a man," added Ziemer.  "We got the equalizer and controlled the game and had some chances to win it in regulation."

In the extra time, that's when Pitts came up big again, scoring the golden goal after a Humboldt State free kick from the left side.  While the ball was in the air, Taufer and an HSU player collided, knocking Taufer to the ground, and that's when Pitts shut the door on Humboldt's 3-2 win.

"It appeared that (Humboldt State) fouled Taufer, but you have to give Pitts credit because he had a magic first time side volley with very little time and space."

"Jose Avalos had a great game today," Ziemer said.  "When we went down to 10 men, he was helping cover in the back and then pushing into midfield when we won the ball.  He keeps getting better and he's only a sophomore."

In the end, Sonoma State held a 17-9 advantage in shots.  Taufer made four saves on the day while his counterpart, HSU's Javier Torres, made five stops.

Ziemer finished by saying, "How we bounce back for next Friday's game at Cal State East Bay will show us a lot about our team."