BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University junior midfielder Drew Farnsworth scored a pair of goals to lead the Vikings to a 2-0 non-conference victory over Sonoma State University Saturday evening at Harrington Field.

Farnsworth, a junior from Auckland, New Zealand, scored a goal in each half, with the go-ahead goal on a header in the 15^th minute and sealed the win with a thunderous goal in the 58^th minute. 

The Vikings jumped out to the early lead in the 15^th minute when Farnsworth scored on a driving header while streaking through the box. Senior forward Christian Rotter (Auburn, WA/Auburn Mountainview) sprinted down the right side of the field on a breakaway and fired a sharp cross into the box where Farnsworth one-timed it to the far post for the finish at the 14:25 mark.

Farnsworth gave the Vikings a two-goal advantage in the 58^th minute when he connected on a thunderous strike to the upper right corner from 18-yards out. Sophomore Danny Fazio (Bellingham, WA/Sehome/Pacific U.) streaked down the left side into the box, but a cross attempt deflected off a SSU defender, where Farnsworth timed his strike with a rocket to the top right corner for the brace at the 57:19 mark.

"Those were two great goals by Drew," said WWU head coach Greg Brisbon. "We created some chances and Drew did a fantastic job finishing."

Sophomore goalkeeper Brandon Wolter (Vancouver, WA/Union) made one save for his eighth career shutout.

A combined defensive effort limited the Seawolves to just six shots during the game, including only one shot on goal.

"It was a total team effort tonight, and they adjusted to the game plan really well facing a very good Sonoma team," added Brisbon. "I am proud of how they battled back tonight and it was a great performance by everyone with solid defending. It was a good win for us. Now we get ready for a big road trip to Texas and Colorado to face two ranked teams."

Western improved to 1-1-0 on the season, bouncing back from a 2-1 defeat against Chico State in Thursday's season opener.

Sonoma State went 0-1-1 on its season-opening road trip to the Northwest after tying Seattle Pacific 1-1 on Thursday.

The Vikings leave Wednesday for their road trip to Texas and Colorado, which begins with a Friday match-up against No. 9 nationally-ranked West Texas A&M (1-0-0) at The Pitch in Canyon, Texas.

WWU takes to the road for a pair of matches against ranked opponents traveling to play at No. 9 West Texas (Friday, 9/13, 7 pm CT) and No. 16 Colorado School of Mines (Monday, 9/16, 5:30 pm MT). The complete 18-match regular-season schedule, in addition to roster information and social media posts, can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/MSOC.

Western Washington 2, Sonoma State 0
Date: September 7, 2019
Field: Harrington Field  Site: Bellingham, WA
Attendance: 125
 
Goals by period           1  2  Tot
---------------------------------------
Sonoma State............  0  0 -  0
Western Washington......  1  1 -  1
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  14:25  WWU  Farnsworth (Rotter)
  2.  57:19  WWU  Farnsworth
 
Shots: WWU 12, SSU 6
Shots on Goal: WWU 6, SSU 1
Saves: WWU 1 (Wolter – 1), SSU 4 (Engebretsen- 4)
Kits: WWU – Navy; SSU – White

Fans can follow WWU men's soccer online at WWUVikings.com/MSoc, and via social media on Twitter (@SoccerWWU), Instagram (@wwu_msoccer) and Facebook (@WWUsoccermens). All home matches feature a live webcast, as well as most road matches, with links on how to follow the games available at WWUVikings.com/Live.

The Western Washington University men's soccer program enters its 40^th season at the varsity level in 2019 with head coach Greg Brisbon leading the program in his seventh season as the head coach. The program has recorded an overall record at or above the .500 mark in six of the last seven seasons, including a 11-6-1 mark overall in 2018 and a 7-4-1 mark in the GNAC to finish second in the conference. In 2016 the Vikings advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships for the first time in program history, using a late-season surge that saw the Vikings 5-0-1 over the last six matches to advance to the postseason. WWU beat 19^th-ranked Dixie State in the first round of the NCAA Championships 3-2 in overtime on a golden goal header. Overall the program has produced 43 GNAC Players of the Week selections, 27 First Team All-GNAC players and 3 GNAC Players of the Year since joining the conference in 2001.