LACEY, WASH. - On September 11th, the Sonoma State men's soccer team remained in Washington to finish out their road trip against GNAC member St. Martins. The Seawolves fell to nationally ranked Simon Fraser two days prior and would look to get back in the win column and even out their record on the season before returning home. 

The first half brought plenty of back and forth action as St. Martins would strike first on an unfortunate own goal by the Seawolves. However, it only took a few minutes for head coach

Marcus Ziemer and his group to respond as Matt Lee would make a darting run into the penalty area where he would get the first touch before being taken down in the box. Captain Sean Rohane would step up and drill his second goal of the season. SSU would out shoot St. Martins 7-2 after the first 45 minutes as the Seawolves looked to ride the momentum into the second half. 

"We have been playing really well as a team but have struggled to score. Today everything fell into place for us. We kept our composure after the own goal and fought back to get ourselves back into the game with a goal before the half" (Ziemer). 

SSU wasted no time in the second half as freshman Ian Reis would give them the 2-1 lead in the 50th minute. That would go down as Reis's first goal as a Seawolf. Midfielder Sean Rohane would pick up the assist in the action as well. No less than 10 minutes later, Matt Lee would get his chance to get on the scoring sheet with a penalty kick in the 56th minute. Lee would convincingly slot the penalty giving him his first goal as a Seawolf as well. Since transferring over from Cal State Monterey Bay, Lee has started in all four games for SSU and has recorded 1 goal on 10 shots making his impact felt on the offensive end. 

"The first 25-30 minutes of the second half was some of the best soccer we have played this season. We moved the ball really well, controlled the tempo, and created a lot of chances as we were sharp enough to finish a few of them" (Ziemer). 

With the game loosening up, the Seawolves would put the nail in the coffin with a goal from senior forward Brian Field in the 87th minute. Sean Rohane would launch a clearance ball up the field where Field was in good enough position to chest the ball out of the air and then rip a left footed shot after one bounce across the goal for the finish. HIGHLIGHT HERE. The 4-1 lead would hold as the Seawolves would improve to 2-2 on the year and return home with a split road trip against two quality GNAC opponents. 
 

"Matt Lee was very dangerous today. He helped create a couple of goals and got one for himself. Sebas worked his butt off defensively up front and Brian Field scored an incredible goal to put the game away. Bryan Rosales also had a great performance in the midfield for us. Probably his best performance as a Seawolf since injuring his knee during the 2018 season. It's great to see him getting back to his old form and being a crucial piece in our midfield"

Local Santa Rosa product Bryan Rosales joined the Seawolves soccer program in 2018 only to suffer a season ending knee injury in a preseason match. After battling through the suspension of play due to COVID-19, Rosales has regained his health and has been an integral part of the Seawolves midfield so far this season as he makes his regular season debut. 

Backup keeper Reinier Ter Riet would also make his Seawolf debut in the match after being subbed in at the 47th minute. He would tally two saves in the duration of the match.   

Full match video can be found HERE.   

The Seawolves dynamic offensive attack has proven their effectiveness early in the season as they are second in the CCAA with 61 shots as a team and third in the conference with 7 goals. The Seawolves will have a much needed break coming up as they return to action against Dominican University on September 22nd in San Rafael. 

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