By MICHAEL COIT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Tuning up for a likely NCAA playoff berth, Sonoma State’s women are back in the conference soccer tournament.

Sonoma State is the second seed and faces Cal State San Bernardino 4:30 p.m. Friday at Turlock. Top seed Cal State Stanislaus plays Cal State Los Angeles in the other women’s semifinal. The California Collegiate Athletic Association finals are Sunday.

A year ago, Sonoma State lost on penalty kicks in the championship match to UC San Diego. Sonoma State went on to host opening-round matches in the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer West Regional, the Seawolves’ first appearance since 2000. Sonoma State fell to Western Washington.

Sonoma State is expected to get another NCAA invitation with a No. 18 national ranking. Cal State Stanislaus is No. 5 in the nation.

Pacing the Seawolves are twins Cara and Lauren Curtin, from Maria Carrillo. Cara Curtin is second in goals and fifth in total points among CCAA leaders. Lauren Curtin shares the conference lead in assists and is second in total points.

Goalkeeper Allison Hadidian, from San Jose, is among conference leaders yielding less than a goal per match.