REDDING — (Aug. 30) Maintaining control of the ball throughout, Humboldt State used all 18 available players in claiming a 2-0 non-conference men's soccer win over Simpson University on Wednesday.
Humboldt's record improved to 2-0 on the young season with the victory in their first road game. With the cancellation of next week's scheduled game against Pacific Union College, the Jacks now have more than a week off of competition before they return to the field to face Cal State Los Angeles in the California Collegiate Athletic Association opener on Friday, Sept. 8.
"After last week's win, we identified some areas we needed to fix," HSU head coach Andy Cumbo said. "We worked on those things and did a better job with them today. We also learned that there are other areas we need to work on."
On Wednesday, the Jacks dominated play throughout, but were unable to find the net until Jonathan Eseman booted in a free kick 25 minutes into the game. The junior forward caught the Simpson goalkeeper out of position, sending the ball inside the near post.
Sophomore
Matt Colwell added the second goal about 10 minutes later, taking a cross from
Andres Ripa about 30 yards out and beating the keeper on a breakaway. The teams remained scoreless throughout the second half, though the Jacks had several chances at the net.
""We generated a lot of opportunities, and we just didn't finish our crosses," Cumbo said. "That won't cut it when we start conference play. We have to execute better in front of the goal."
Humboldt State was without the services of two starters Tuesday,
Keith Lambert, who is nursing an injury, and
Geoff Houck, who was out of town due to a death in his family.
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