Box Score TURLOCK — The showdown for supremacy in the CCAA North was everything it was billed for — except the outcome didn't favor Warrior Nation. Sonoma State played stifling defense, especially in the box, as the Seawolves beat No. 8 Warriors, 2-1, Sunday.

Sonoma State, 15-2-1, 11-2-1 CCAA, takes the North Division (by one point) and claimed the No. 1 seed in next week's CCAA Soccer Championships. Cal State Stanislaus ends the regular season 15-3 and 11-3 in the CCAA. The Warriors will be the No. 2 seed and will face No. 3 UC San Diego next Friday at 1:30 p.m. in Carson.

"I'm very proud of the effort we gave today. While we always want to win we don't judge ourselves based on what it says on the scoreboard," Warriors' head coach Gabriel Bolton said. "We hold ourselves to a much higher standard. We met that standard today. We gave a tremendous effort. We played at a high level and created plenty of chances."

With the Sonoma State defenders swarming around every Stanislaus striker, the Warriors managed to make many great scoring runs before coming up empty for all but three seconds in the match.

Bernie Bettencourt, one of five seniors honored in a pregame ceremony, scored with three ticks left to help the Warriors avoid the shutout. Karli Nestler and Sierra Casas assisted on the final play.

Cal State Stanislaus out-shot the Seawolves, 21-12 and took 13 corner shots to SSU's zero for a great offensive effort.

However, Sonoma State was opportunistic on offense netting a score eight minutes into the contest. As three Warrior defenders close in on Cara Curtin, Curtin found Ashley Martin  for the scoring play.

SSU made it 2-0 at 54:09 when Shayla Mellenthin blasted a free kick in from just outside of the midfield circle.

"Often times when two great teams play it just comes down to who makes the most of their opportunities. Sonoma took advantage today," added Bolton.

On defense the Seawolves also limited chances by Karenee Demery by triple-teamming the two-time All-American. Demery, who leads the CCAA with 18 goals, scored three goals in a 4-1 win over SSU on Sept. 23.

The Warriors, the 2011 CCAA champions, will return to the conference tournament for the third straight year — this time on the road for the first time. In 2012, the Warriors are 9-0 when playing away from home.

"We are looking forward to next weekend and returning to the CCAA tournament. I have no doubt we will perform very well," Bolton said.

Cal State Stanislaus will also be working on staying in the picture for the NCAA Championships. The Warriors entered the week No. 1 in the West Region. Teams have to finish ranked in the top six by the end of the conference tournament week to advance.

During a pregame ceremony, five Warriors -- Alisa Barlow, Bettencourt, Millie Brown, Sierra Casas and Alexia Poon -- were honored as they appeared in their final regular season home match. Poon, who has been sidelined since Sept. 14, returned to the lineup and made the start.