ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – With a spot in the conference tournament clinched and their eyes on a first-round bye, #24 Sonoma State put together their seventh shutout victory of the season, beating Cal State East Bay 1-0.

"It was a very good win for us," said head coach Emiria Salzmann Dunn after the game. "East Bay came out hard and hungry for a win and we had to handle all of that energy. Also, knowing that this is a big weekend in terms of post-season play adds pressure and I was proud of the team for finding a way to win."
 
East Bay proved a chippy aggressor in the match, collecting 13 fouls and three yellow cards, but the Seawolves maintained their poise, playing their game and coming through for the game-winner in the closing minutes.

Sam Layman proved the hero for Sonoma State, converting in the 86th minute after the squad's defense limited the Pioneers to eight shots, of which only three forced keeper Kristen Spear to make a save.

The Seawolves, who entered the day as the CCAA's fourth-place team, moved temporarily into second place after locking up the win, but after Chico State (8-1-2) defeated Cal State Monterey Bay, the Wildcats pulled ahead of Sonoma State by a single point in the standings. SSU is now 10-2-3 on the season and 8-2-1 in conference play.

"We don't feel any differently," Salzmann Dunn said of the temporary hold of second place. "Either way, we are always training and preparing to win."

That mentality will serve the Seawolves well, as a win on Saturday against the Monterey Bay Otters would clinch the squad a top-two finish in the conference standings, earning the team a first-round bye in the CCAA playoffs next week.

"Game plan for Saturday is to win. That's always the plan"