Sonoma St. defeats Coyotes in CCAA soccer semis, 2-1

Seawolves score late in regulation, second overtime

Emily Mardon assisted on CSUSB's lone goal Friday night.

TURLOCK -- Proving that it's never over until it's over, Sonoma State rallied with goals just before the end of regulation and the second overtime Friday night to defeat Cal State San Bernardino, 2-1, in the California Collegiate Athletic Association conference tournament semifinals.
Despite the tough loss, the Coyotes figure to remain in the running for one of six spots in the NCAA West Regional. CSUSB was ranked No. 4 entering play Friday, just behind the Seawolves at No. 3.
SSU, who made the title match in 2012, will face No. 1 seed and unbeaten Cal State Stanislaus in Sunday's title match. The Warriors, playing on their home field, beat Cal State L.A. 3-2 in overtime. The Warriors are ranked No. 1 in the region.
Senior midfielder Carissa Kutkowski put the Coyotes up 1-0 just 14 minutes into the first half, taking a pass from Emily Mardon and blasting a shot past Seawolves keeper Allison Hadidan from eight yards out.
The Coyotes held that lead well into the second half despite the fact that Sonoma State dominated play with nine shots, seven of them in the final 10 minutes of regulation. CSUSB goalie Chelsey Jones, named the CCAA's defensive MVP on Thursday, saved five shots including one in the final seconds of regulation.
However, Margi Osmundson finally broke through for the Seawolves in the 85th minute with a shot just inside the far past past Jones for the equalieszer, forcing extra time.
With just 1:23 remaining in the second overtime and possible use of penalty kicks to decide the match, Cara Curtin fed Gabby Squarcia with a nice pass and Squarcia finished the attack to send the Coyotes home in their first CCAA tournament appearance in the history of the program,
CSUSB is 11-6-3 and awaits word from the NCAA committee to see if its season continues. The Coyotes have made one previous NCAA tournament appearance in women's soccer. That was in 2003, a 1-0 loss to UC San Diego in La Jolla.

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