ROHNERT PARK, CALIF. - On Sunday, September 25th, the Sonoma State men's soccer team would even out their conference record and split the home stand with a gritty 2-1 victory over Cal Poly Humboldt. Freshman standout Patrick Neill would continue his solid freshman campaign with a goal in the opening minute of the match. After some combination play outside the Lumberjacks box, a deflected pass would put Neill one-on-one with the keeper. Neill would handle the bouncing ball and loft a volley over the keeper into the far corner, giving SSU a 1-0 lead in just 26 seconds. Neill's opening goal in just 26 seconds would clock in as the second fastest goal to start a game in program history. Former Seawolf Andrew Bailey recorded a goal in just 13 seconds back in 2004 against Cal State Monterey Bay to remain in the top spot of the SSU record books.  

However, no more than three minutes later Cal Poly Humboldt would answer back and draw a penalty in the box, evening the game at one a piece. Despite playing some terrific combination soccer and tactical play, Sonoma State has given up four goals off of dead balls in their previous three games. The Seawolves would continue to apply the pressure though and out shoot the Lumberjacks 10-4 in the first half. 

After adding another 12 shots in the second half and recording a season high 22 in the game, Sonoma State's relentless pressure would finally pay off with some great counter-attacking soccer. After successfully defending an in-swinging cross, sophomore keeper Reinier ter Riet would catch a cross and throw a quick ball out to freshman defender Elliot Stanley. Stanley would drive up the right side and play a wonderful ball down the line, putting Patrick Neill behind Humboldt's back line. With a terrific first touch to separate himself from the defense, Neill would begin to cut inside the box and then get tripped up from behind, earning his team the penalty. With senior midfielder and regular penalty taker Ulysses Vega out on cards, junior midfielder Nathan Arnott would step up to take the penalty. After much deliberation, Arnott would hammer the ball into the bottom right corner off the keeper's hand, converting the penalty and giving SSU a 2-1 lead in the 77th minute. Arnott recorded his second goal of the season as the 200-plus crowd and SSU bench would erupt in celebration.

The Seawolves defense would bear down for the next 13 minutes and fend off some dangerous chances from Cal Poly Humboldt, holding on for their fourth win of the season. Despite giving up the early penalty goal, the Seawolves offense was in a rhythm in the afternoon after recording a season high 9 shots on goal and generating several dangerous chances in the second half. SSU would force the Humboldt keeper to make a game high 6 saves, including some crucial ones on shots inside the 18-yard box. 

Center backs Federico Barbieri and Matt Walleigh would play all 90 minutes and anchor the Seawolves defense when they needed it most. Freshmen wingers Jvon Cunningham and Patrick Neill were threatening all game long as they continued to attack the Lumberjacks outside backs and create dangerous chances. Nathan Arnott not only converted the game winner but he was essential in the midfield for SSU as he swung the ball left and right and helped stretch Humboldt's defense. Newcomer Elliot Stanley was also an effective defender for the Seawolves as he made his third start of the season and recorded his first career 90-minute game. Junior midfielder Bryan Rosales recorded a team high two shots on goal and was also incredibly crafty in the midfield, helping to break pressure and combine with SSU's front three to create dangerous chances all game long. 

"That was a great win today. Humboldt is a dangerous team and was really effective on the counter. We built off of our game against Chico and continued to possess the ball and move it effectively", said head coach Marcus Ziemer. 

"Bryan Rosales is getting into a really nice groove. He's very calm on the ball and was great for us going forward and combining. Matt Walleigh is a beast in the back. He helped kill some really dangerous counters for us and made some great one-on-one tackles. And Patrick Neill, he had a great game especially in the second half. He really went at their back line and was able to draw the penalty to help us get the game winner" (Ziemer, HC).         

Sonoma State grabs their first win in CCAA play and improves to 4-3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play. The Seawolves will go on their first conference road trip as they take on Cal State East Bay next Friday night, September 30th at 7:00 PM. Live stats and ticket links can be found at sonomaseawolves.com and you can also stream the game live on the CCAA Network. 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