ROHNERT PARK, CALIF. - On Friday October 21st, the Sonoma State men's soccer team took down the Coyotes of Cal State San Bernardino, 2-0, in a must-win scenario as the end of the CCAA regular season comes to a close with just two more games remaining. The Seawolves entered the contest on a 5-game losing streak to San Bernardino, dating back to 2016, but head coach Marcus Ziemer and his squad would dig deep and find a way as they would pull off the shutout victory and remain in the hunt for the CCAA tournament. 

With several key injuries, the Seawolves had a thin staff today but were able to be dangerous early on in the contest. After a solid one-on-one save from keeper Reinier ter Riet after ball loss inside their own box, senior forward and local product Oliver Ziemer would create the games first dangerous chance on goal for SSU. Just minutes after ter Riet's big save, Ziemer would check back for the ball in build-up and flick a pass down the line for freshman midfielder Oswaldo Rojas to run onto as he entered the right side of the box. Rojas would cut in and play a wonderful cut-back ball to Ziemer just outside the six yard box. Ziemer would redirect the ball and see it heading into the bottom right hand corner but not before an acrobatic stop from San Bernardino's keeper, keeping the game knotted early. 

Just over five minutes later, the Seawolves early pressure and quality play would payoff with an absolute stunner from freshman winger Jvon Cunningham. Once again, Ziemer would be involved in the play and after winning a tackle and stripping the Coyotes defender just outside their own box, Ziemer would turn and make a hard square pass to the top of the box. The Hawaii native would sprint in from the left side and connect on a first-time rocket, finding the upper left corner and then sprinting to SSU's bench as the crowd erupted. Cunningham grabbed his second goal of the season and put himself in the goal of the year conversation as well as Sonoma State took a 1-0 lead. Ziemer would also record his first assist of the season as he made his first start in his 11 appearances this season.  

The Seawolves bench started to become a factor later in the first half as they were working with a smaller number of players due to injuries. However, they were able to hold off the Coyotes and take a 1-0 lead into the half. Center backs Matt Walleigh and Federico Barbieri made several key tackles and were competitive in the air all afternoon. ter Riet would tally another three saves against 8 shots from San Bernardino. 

With good control of the game to start the second half, Sonoma State would have to wait nearly 20 minutes before doubling their lead and putting the Coyotes to bed. After successfully defending a spell of possession from San Bernardino, the Seawolves would go on to make 14 consecutive passes to get out of their own half and record one of the best team goals of the season. After possessing the ball in the defensive half on the left side, combination play in the Seawolves midfield would launch the counter attack on the right side as outside back Elliot Stanley drove up the right wing. Freshman midfielder Jose Rios Lara would get in the mix and play a 1-2 to get down the end line but as the ball got away from him a bit, he would turn out to reset the offense and find Stanley behind him. Stanley would whip in a right-footed cross first-time and find the head of veteran midfielder Bryan Rosales as he leaped over the Coyotes defender to head it into the bottom left hand corner for the team's second goal of the day. 

Rosales tied the team lead with his third goal of the season as he slid into the far corner flag to celebrate with his team in the 68th minute. Despite some chippy play, the Seawolves defense remained strong and even played down a man for the final five minutes as a late red card put SSU down to 10 men. The Coyotes did rattle the side post twice in the contest but second year keeper Reinier ter Riet made his presence known as he tied his season high with 8 saves on the day. ter Riet recorded 8 saves for his second straight game and currently ranks second in the conference with 67 saves and top-3 in the conference in saves per game with 4.19. 

Second year player Miles Hodgson made his first appearance of the season for the Seawolves and played a massive 57 minutes. Goal scorers Jvon Cunningham and Bryan Rosales combined for 162 minutes out of the possible 180 and center backs Barbieri and Walleigh once again held it down with 90-minute performances, giving SSU their 6th shutout of the season. Sonoma State currently sits in 7th place in the CCAA standings, just one spot outside the top-6 that qualify for the tournament. However, just four points separate spots 5-7 and the Seawolves will get Cal State San Marcos who sit in 6th place, on Sunday as they control their own fate.

Sonoma State improves to 6-7-3 overall and 3-5-1 in CCAA play. The Seawolves will take on Cal State San Marcos on Sunday, October 23rd at 11:30 AM as the program also celebrates the 20th anniversary of it's NCAA National Championship in 2002. Live stats and ticket links can be found at sonomaseawolves.com and the game can also be streamed live on the CCAA Network. 

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