SANTA CRUZ--- The San Francisco State Gators started their final week of the regular season with a 3-2 road non-conference win over UC Santa Cruz this windy afternoon in Santa Cruz.  With the win, the Gators improve to 8-5-1 while the Banana Slugs fall to 4-9-1.

The Gators took a 1-0 lead in the first six minutes of the match when Natasha Gosiaco connected on a cross from Kimber Lohman for third goal of the season.  The visitors doubled their lead 14 minutes into the second half when Sierra Sagasta connected on a cross from 6 yards out from Vanessa Koontz for her fifth goal of the season. Nine minutes later, Malissa Shadle connected on her first goal of the season on a floater from 10 yards out after a pass from Cassie Stansberry to give the Gators a 3-0 lead.  This proved to be the game-winner as the Banana Slugs scored two goals in the final 20 minutes as the Gators held on for the 3-2 win.

The Gators will return home for their final two matches of the 2015 regular season this Thursday and Saturday, October 27 and 29 at Cox Stadium.  They will host Cal State East Bay this Thursday at 12:30pm and Stanislaus State this Saturday at 11:30am.  Prior to their match on Saturday, the Gators will recognize their 14 seniors.

FIRST ONE:  Malissa Shadle scored her first goal as a Gator in the 70^th minute on a pass from Cassie Stansberry.  This also proved to the game-winner, which is also Shadle's first as a Gator.

FIRST ONE TOO:  This afternoon's victory was the Gators' first victory that was not a shutout.  All 7 other Gator victories were shutouts. 

SIX:  Six different Gators contributed to their win this afternoon.  Natasha Gosiaco, Sierra Sagasta and Malissa Shadle all scored goals with Kimber Lohman, Vanessa Koontz and Cassie Stansberry all recording assists.

4-1-1:  With their 3-2 win this afternoon, the Gators finish the non-conference season with a 4-1-1 record.  Their loss was a 2-1 season opening loss at home to Central Washington.  The one tie was a 2-2 tie to Dominican University of California also at home.

FINAL TWO:  The Gators will have two more matches left in the regular season this week.  They will host Cal State East Bay and Stanislaus State this Thursday and Saturday, October 27 and 29 at home at 12:30pm and 11:30am respectively.  San Francisco State is still alive for the six-team CCAA Soccer Championships which start on November 1 as the Gators currently sit in the sixth spot.
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Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.

Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments.  For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.