ROHNERT PARK, Calif.---  Alexis Espitia's goal with less than two minutes left in regulation gave the No. 25 Sonoma State Seawolves the 2-1 victory over Humboldt State this afternoon in both team's conference opener in Rohnert Park, Calif.  HSU's goal came in the 27^th minute, when Lindsay Stoner scored on a penalty kick for her second goal of the season.
 
QUOTE FROM THE COACH:  "Today was a fantastic opportunity on the road against the No. 25 team in the country," said head coach Paul Karver.  "We did a fantastic job asking questions of them and stifling what they wanted to do in the attack. In the end it was a bit of quality from them in the final moments that made the difference."
 
FIRST HALF:  Sonoma State (5-2, 1-0 CCAA) scored its first goal in the second third minute on an unassisted goal by Julia Pritchard just two minutes into the match.  The Lumberjacks had a chance to tie the match four minutes later, but Pikake Hix's shot was stopped by SSU's Ashley Morton.  The guests had another chance in the 19^th minute, but Lindsay Stoner's shot was stopped by Morton.  Sonoma State had a chance to double its lead, when Katelin Talbert recorded one of her ten saves in the 21^st minutes.  Humboldt State tied the match at 1-1 in the 25^th minute, when Stoner connected on a penalty kick for her second goal of the season.  Sonoma State had a chance to retake the lead in the final minutes of the half when Talbert made another save this time off the foot of Alexis Espitia.
 
SECOND HALF:  It looked like the Lumberjacks were going to take the lead in the 62^nd minute, but Stoner's shot went right of the net.  Sonoma State had two chances in the 66^th minute to retake the lead, but Talbert made two more saves.  The Seawolves scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 89^th minute on a goal by Espitia off a ball from Pritchard.  Humboldt State (1-3-2, 0-1 CCAA) looked like it was going to tie the match in the final seconds, but the 'Jacks were called for offsides and Sonoma State held on for the 2-1 victory. 
 
TALBERT:  Katelin Talbert had 10 saves in goal for the Lumberjacks including six in the second half.  Ashley Morton had three saves in goal for the Seawolves, all in the first half.
 
UP NEXT:  The Lumberjacks will return to the pitch next weekend at home when they face Chico State and Stanislaus State.  HSU will host Chico State a week from today at 12:30pm and Stanislaus State on Sunday, October 6 at 11:30am.