ROHNERT PARK, Calif. — Riding three goals through 90 minutes, Sonoma State handily defeated Cal Poly Pomona in the first leg of the 2017 CCAA Women's Soccer Tournament by a final of 3-1, advancing to this weekend's semifinals in La Jolla, California. 

After a heartbreaking defeat against SF State on Saturday forced the Seawolves out of the #2 seed—which carried with it a first-round bye—Sonoma State returned to Seawolf Soccer Field determined and ready to take on the Broncos in order to move through to the second round. 

"We lost on our senior night even though we possessed really well and tactically we did great," said sophomore forward Sam Layman after Tuesday's win. "So, it felt really nice coming out here, scoring three goals and showing we're a great team and we can finish."

Layman scored what proved to be the game-winner for her team, putting the Seawolves up 2-1 in the second half. When an out-swinging corner kick by Madison Watts dropped in on the six-yard line, Layman was there waiting for it. The sophomore striker jumped up and put a head on the ball, which went top-shelf for the goal.

"The team was fantastic today," said head coach Emiria Salzmann Dunn after the game. "Truthfully, we have been playing well but have let a few slip-ups affect our mood on the field. When Pomona equalized, it was a telling moment to see how we would react, and aside from about ten minutes early in the second half, we just dug deep and refused to lose. The effort from the players on the field and from our bench was equally enthusiastic and that definitely helped us stay strong mentally."

The Seawolves took the first lead of the match in the 34th minute when a shot by Riley West bounced in towards goal before deflecting off the upright. Luckily, the deflection fell to the foot of Sarah Lindborg, who one-timed the ball, knocking it past the diving Broncos' keeper Ricki Ives, and converting the shot on goal. 

The 1-0 lead stood for ten minutes before the Broncos earned a free-kick 22 yards out. Natalie De Angelo curved the set piece up and over a wall of Seawolves defenders before it dipped down on the other side and buried itself inside the right post.

Layman broke the 1-1 tie in the second half, but Alexis Espitia shut the door on Broncos in the 77th minute. Espitia served up, what looked like a cross into the box, that dipped down toward the Broncos' goalkeeper. However, Ives mistimed her jump and tipped the ball with her fingers, allowing it to bounce toward goal. CPP defender, Joni Geer attempted to clear the ball off the line, but her kick was too late as the ball rattled off the net.

Sonoma State shut down the Broncos in the final minutes of the game, sealing the victory and securing their spot in the CCAA Women's Soccer Tournament semi-final against Cal State LA. 

The Seawolves will meet the Golden Eagles Friday, November 3 at Triton Field for a 4:30pm PT kickoff.

For more information on the CCAA Women's Soccer tournament, visit goccaa.org.