ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – With their third-straight shutout—and seventh in eight games—the Sonoma State Seawolves defeated Cal State San Bernardino 2-0 Sunday afternoon to move into sole-possession of first place in the CCAA standings.  
 
Sonoma State struck for a goal in the opening minutes of the game as Alexis Espitia teamed up with Molly Murphy to put the Seawolves on the board. The forward from Concord dribbled into the right side of the box where she slid a ball through traffic on to Murphy at the top of the box. With a quick one-timer to the near post, Murphy beat the keeper, put the Seawolves on top and collected her team-leading fourth goal of the season.
 
Murphy's goal proved the margin through the end of the first half, but the Seawolves started the second half just as quick as the first and doubled up their opponent with a goal in the 50th minute of play.
 
On another chance created by Espitia, Sonoma State barreled into the box for the attack. Just inside the top of the box, the sophomore was brought down by a CSUSB defender, awarding the Seawolves an attempt from the penalty spot. Espitia ceded the opportunity to Sarah Lindborg who stepped into the box and calmly put away the ball in the left-side netting for a 2-0 lead.
 
The Seawolves defense limited the Coyotes to a single shot in the second half, allowing Kristin Spear to pick up her seventh shutout of the season and lower her goals-against average to .493 (second best in CCAA).
 
With the victory, the Seawolves improve to 8-1-3 and move into sole possession of first place in the conference standings with a 6-1-1 record (19 points). They return to action for a Friday evening rivalry match with second-place Chico State (5-0-1, 16 points). Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at University Soccer Stadium.