ARCATA – A total of nine goals were scored Thursday afternoon in Sonoma State's exciting 5-4 victory over Humboldt State.

Humboldt State drops to 2-6 overall, 2-5 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play, while the North Division leaders improve to 6-3, 5-1 in the CCAA. The Lumberjacks are away at Chico State on Sunday and return home to host Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State Los Angeles on Oct. 7 and 9, respectively.

"It's one of those games you walk away from as a coach where you're pleased with the focus and play of the team," said head coach C.J. Johnson. "People might wonder how that can be with five goals given up, but it was a fun game to watch."

The Seawolves had seven shots in the first 20 minutes, but Zach Hammond proved it's what you do with the shots that counts when he scored his third goal of the season in the 22nd minute. Dan Mariani's shot was going wide of the goal when Hammond redirected it around the goalkeeper.

Eric Baumgardner added to the scoreboard in the 34th minute off an assist from Hammond, slipping the ball past goalkeeper Andrew Ball to put the Jacks up 2-0.

Sonoma State responded in under two minutes with a goal of their own. Trevor Hurst blocked a defensive clear and put the ball in the back of the net, lessoning the Jacks' lead to one goal. Taylor Varnadore tied the game at 2-2 in the 39th minute by heading in a cross from Brian Angel.

Both teams fought to find a go-ahead goal, getting shots off in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Baumgardner succeeded for his third goal of the season in the 55th minute. Mariani sent a ball to Brian Holmes who crossed the ball into the box where Baumgardner was waiting at the top of the 6-yd box to make the score 3-2 in favor of HSU.

"Eric and Bruno (da Matta) did outstanding in the midfield and I was very happy with all five forwards that played," said Johnson. "Honestly, I was pleased with everyone's play."

Just four minutes later, the Lumberjacks gave up a free kick about 25 yards out. Ebby Lombardi kicked the ball into the box to an open Michel Arroyo to level the score at 3-3.

The Seawolves thought they'd prevented overtime in the 78th minute when Lombardi scored a goal for himself after stripping a Humboldt State player of the ball, dribbling down and shooting high into the left upper corner of the goal over Kyle Verle.

HSU was not done scoring, however, and tied the game at 4-4 in the 83rd minute. After the ball had bounced around in the 18-yd box, Holmes' shot was blocked and Nate Roupp finished the rebound.

"I was very pleased by Nate's play today," said Johnson. "He really limited Varnadore's opportunities and he's one of the best players in the nation."

Arroyo wasn't done scoring either, firing the game-winning goal into the same upper corner as Lombardi's goal in the 85th minute off another assist from Lombardi.

"In past games where we've given up multiple games it's been off defensive mistakes, but both coaches would say these were quality goals," said Johnson.  "We were beat by what the Sonoma State coach called two 'CCAA goals of the year'—two upper-v shots from difficult angles. I don't think any goalkeeper from this conference would be consistent at saving those."

HSU finished with nine freshman on the field giving hope for the future of the Lumberjacks. Some of the younger Jacks will have to step up and show Johnson and his staff what they can do in filling injured players' positions. Jordan Zogg and Mariani both got banged up and could potentially rest on Sunday's game.

"In a way, this was an opportunity to challenge our young team," said Johnson. "If we can stay focused and play to our potential, we can win games in conference. We need to have that focus on the road so we can win games."