SEASIDE, CALIF. - On Sunday October 17th the Sonoma State men's soccer team headed down to the coast to take on the Otters of Cal State Monterey Bay for a CCAA conference matchup. The Seawolves just came off another tough 1-goal defeat to nationally ranked Dominguez Hills. Despite the loss, SSU had plenty of control in the game and created a beautiful team goal to bring the game within one score. They would look to build off that success in their matchup against Monterey Bay on Sunday and hope to come out with a win to split the weekend.

After the first 45-minutes, the game would remain tied 0-0. Both teams with several half chances if you will, however, neither team was able to generate any serious threatening chances on goal. Each team finished the half with three shots, two of three for SSU coming from senior midfielder Luis Diaz-Mendoza. The high press from the Otters kept the pace high and created a lot of back and forth situations. Head coach Marcus Ziemer and his squad looked to settle in a bit though in the last ten minutes of the half as the Seawolves created a couple of chances late to flip the pressure a bit and take some confidence into the second half. 

A late free kick from midfielder Sean Rohane just outside of the box and some nice combination play around the Otters penalty box from Bryan Rosales and Sebastian Bernal-Santos would not result in a goal but would create some half chances in hopes of getting the Seawolves offense going in the second period.

A similar start would occur in the second half as Monterey Bay came out with their high press once again making it tough for SSU's backline to build up and create possession. The Otters would strike first just under ten minutes into the half on a scrappy back and forth play in the midfield. After winning the 50/50 tackle, the Monterey Bay midfielder would attack the backline where he fed a ball across the top of the 18-yard box that was then finished home by the Otter forward. Just a few minutes later a controversial penalty call would be given which would lead to a second goal for Monterey Bay and a 2-0 lead. 

The Seawolves did continue to push and fight as they saw more action on the counter and dangerous chances off of early crosses and from the cut back ball. Luis-Diaz Mendoza whipped in a teasing ball from the right side that Santos was just unable to corral inside the 6-yard box. The best chance for Sonoma State would come yet again on the counter as Sebastian Bernal-Santos would get played down the line on the right side in transition. He would drive the ball all the way down to the end line and play a beautiful cutback ball towards the top of the box. With a defender on his back, Sean Rohane was able to collect the ball but was forced to lay it off for the trailing runner. That trailer would be Bryan Rosales who hit the lay off first time and hammered it off of the cross bar before the ball was eventually cleared in the scuffle after. SSU finished the game with 6 shots and freshman keeper Reinier ter Riet led both keepers in the match with four saves. 

The Otters would grab a third goal late with a little over ten minutes left in the contest. The Seawolves drop to 5-7-1 overall with a 1-4-1 conference record. SSU will look to go on a winning streak in their last three weeks of conference play to have a shot at the CCAA Tournament. They will travel to Humboldt State on October 22nd and then rival Chico State on the 24th before returning back home. Tune in to the CCAA Network to watch all matches, home or away, live each and every week. 

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