ROHNERT PARK -- The Sonoma State men's soccer team welcomed Western Washington to the Seawolf Soccer Field on Saturday evening for a non-conference match up, but the two squads played to a scoreless draw.  It was the second straight tie for the Seawolves (0-0-2) to open the 2016 season while the Vikings moved to 1-0-1.

"I thought we played well and created some good chances," said SSU head coach Marcus Ziemer, "but we couldn't get the goal to win it."

Western Washington played the final 32 minutes of the game a man down after Brady Ulen received a red card in the 78th minute. After that point, both teams were able to fire off two shots each, but none would find the back of the net.  WWU outshot SSU 12 to 10 in the 110-minute contest.

"Our defense has been outstanding," explained Ziemer.  "Eric Alvarado, Jose Avalos, Dane Shaffar and Devin Anderson are very solid in the back, and with Mitch North behind them (in goal), that's a solid unit."

"Marcus Salvador came in and was outstanding," Ziemer added. "He was good in buildup and also got forward and created some chances."

North made three saves for the Seawolves with his biggest save coming in the second overtime period to preserve the tie.  Wesley Stark of WWU led the game with three shots on goal.

"Overall I was disappointed that we didn't get a win this weekend, but it's definitely something to build on," said Ziemer. "It doesn't get any easier next weekend. We've got to keep getting better."

Sonoma State returns to action next week when it heads to Southern California to take on California Baptist on Thursday in Riverside. The game will start at 4:30 pm.  The Seawolves then play at Azusa Pacific on Saturday before coming back home to open CCAA play against Cal Poly Pomona on Sept. 16.