SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. - On Saturday, September 17th, the Sonoma State men's soccer team headed into the city to take on San Francisco State in their final non-conference matchup before kicking off CCAA play the following week. After a back and forth first and half and some quality chances generated off of ball loss for the Seawolves, SF State would flip a switch and net a trio of goals, two from the reigning CCAA offensive player of the year, forward Gustavo Ferrari. 

Sonoma State's high ball pressure generated some solid chances in the first half but last ditch defensive efforts from the Gators back line limited any real threatening chances onto goal. After fighting off a flurry of chances from SF State in the final 10 minutes of the first half, both teams would enter the half with the game tied at zero. Both teams would combine for only four total shots in the half, making for a relatively quiet start to the game. 

Just five minutes into the second half though, Sonoma State's Ulysses Vega would have a chance out of nowhere as ball loss in the midfield from SF State would prompt Vega to have a long effort on goal in an attempt to catch the keeper off guard. Fellow midfielder Jose Rios Lara would force a turnover on a back pass roughly 50 yards away from goal. Vega would collect the loose ball and after a couple dribbles have a left footed effort from distance. SF State's keeper continued to back track but would make a last second stretch to leap up and tip the ball over the back of the net. 

No more than a few minutes later the Gators would strike first off of a fantastic free kick from forward Gustavo Ferrari. Ferrari was set up just to the right half of the box and nearly 30 yards out before slotting a shot in the upper left hand corner. Seawolves keeper Reinier ter Riet was able to get a hand to it but just didn't have enough behind it to keep it out. 

Goal number two for SF State would happen once again just a handful of minutes later. Vega was stripped on the left sideline in front of the Gators bench and after a nice individual move to beat the next defender, the SF State midfielder slipped a ball into the middle to break pressure and start the transition offense. With Sonoma State's back line spread out, a darting run through the top of the 18-yard box would put the Gators forward onto goal and a first time finish slotted into the bottom left corner would double SF State's lead. Two goals within the first ten minutes of the second half would give the Gators control as they would net a third and seal the game in the 73rd minute. Ferrari would record his second of the game for SF State. 

The Seawolves didn't go down without a fight though as emerging midfielder Jose Rios Lara would convert his second goal of the season on a penalty kick awarded in the final minute of play. A long diagonal ball into the box from Sean Rohane would bounce and catch a hand of the SF State defender. Rios Lara would send the keeper the other way for the last minute goal. The game would finish 3-1 in favor of the Gators with SSU being outshot 8-4 in the contest. 

Despite the bitter 3-1 defeat to SF State, the Seawolves finish their non-conference schedule with some impressive results including draws over top GNAC teams in Western Washington and Seattle Pacific and a three game win streak heading into today with win's over Saint Martin's, Fresno Pacific, and Dominican. 

Sonoma State falls to 3-2-2 on the season but look to turn the corner as they open up CCAA action at home on Friday, September 23rd against rival Chico State. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 PM and live stat, stream, and ticket links can be found at sonomaseawolves.com. Be sure to follow your Seawolves on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get all the latest SSU athletics updates and information. Sonoma State athletics also has launched a new fan app in partnership with From Now On. Download the free app today in both the Apple and Google Play stores by searching Sonoma State Seawolves in the app store. @SonomaSeawolves | #NomaNation