ROHNERT PARK, Calif. — The San Francisco State men's soccer team opened up CCAA action with a 2-0 win at Sonoma State on Friday at Seawolf Soccer Field.
San Francisco State (4-0-1/1-0-0 CCAA) notched its fourth shutout of the young season despite being outshot 12-8. The Seawolves (2-2-2/0-1-1 CCAA) managed just one shot on goal, a shot in the 78th minute that Peter Swinkels made the stop on.
The two teams played to a scoreless first half that saw most play at the midfield.
Jonathan Orozco had a chance early for the Golden Gators but his shot sailed high in the third minute.
Aydan Bower's goal in the 70th minute gave the Golden Gators the first goal of the game. After a Seawolves were whistled for a foul, the senior set up for a free kick on the right side from just outside 18 yards on the right side of the box. His ball sailed over the line and out of the reach of the goalkeeper to the near post and into the back of the net. Orozco had a shot saved in the 76th minute but finally connected in the 82nd minute. Nolan Parker's point-blank shot was saved but the ball bounced to the right side right to Orozco, who hammered it home for an insurance goal.
Head Coach Javier Ayala-Hil: "Starting off [conference] here with the first game is never easy. This is a program that has been consistent through the years and they're always postseason contenders. To get a result away is always a good feeling, now we have to recover and prepare for the next game."
Senior captain Aydan Bowers: "In the first half, we struggled a little bit. It was the first conference game and everybody had some nerves. In the second half, we got that goal with 20 minutes left and added the second goal to take the pressure off. It was a huge, huge road win."
The Golden Gators head to Humboldt State for a 2 p.m. contest on Sunday, September 16. San Francisco State's next home contest is September 28 versus Cal State LA.
