ARCATA — The Humboldt State women's soccer team begins its 2008 campaign with a busy first week. The Jacks will first travel to Monmouth, Ore. to face Western Oregon on Thursday at 4 p.m. and then take on Central Washington on Saturday at noon. The Jacks open their 2008 home campaign against Academy of Art on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Redwood Bowl.
 
Head-to-Head: The Lumberjacks hold a 8-6-1 all-time record against Western Oregon with the last meeting coming in 2006, a 1-0 loss. ...The Jacks have 10-5-1 record against Central Washington, with the Jacks winning the last meeting 1-0 in 2004. ...This will be the first meeting between Humboldt State and the Academy of Art.
 
Lumberjacks Notes: The Jacks dropped an exhibition match last weekend against Southern Oregon, 1-0. The game was played in three, 30-minute periods to allow both teams to distribute playing time. ...In attack, the Jacks have two first-team all-California Collegiate Athletic Association selections leading the way. Sophomore Kim Carroll, from Santa Rosa, and junior Allison Lawrence, from San Diego, will be counted on to carry the Jacks' offense. Carroll scored a team-high five goals and Lawrence registered a team-high five assists. ...In the midfield, senior Meghan Connolly, from Lafayette, Colo., and junior Katie Forba, from Helena, Mont., will lead an otherwise inexperienced group. Freshman Gracie Gartrell, from Ojai, will be expected to make an immediate impact for in the Jacks midfield this season. ...Senior captain Kelsey Gomula, a defender from San Diego, will once again be the anchor of the Jacks defense. Alongside Gomula will be freshman Karen Pontoni, from Bayside, who is making a smooth transition to the backline after being a standout forward at Arcata High School. ...In goal, Kelly Sandberg, a sophomore from Bellingham, Wash., returns after injuring her knee against Seattle Pacific last season. She has been one of the best and most consistent performers in pre-season camp, according to Cumbo.
 
Opponent's Notes: Western Oregon finished its 2007 season 4-12-4 overall and 4-8-2 in Great Northwest Athletic Association play. The Wolves, who return eight starters from a year ago, were picked to finish fifth in the 2008 Great Northwest Athletic Conference pre-season coaches' poll released last week. …Senior Maggie Kuzmer, a senior from Vancouver, Wash., is the top returning scorer from last season with two goals and added one assist. Senior Stephani Catt, a midfielder from Portland, Ore., and junior Kristie Adkins, a midfielder from Vancouver, Wash., were also tied for the team lead with two goals apiece. Sophomore Naomi Shimabuku, a from Aiea, Hawaii, earned all-GNAC honorable mention honors last season, appearing in 15 games, starting 14, scoring one goal and adding one assist. ...In goal, Kelsie Blachly, a sophomore from Gresham, Ore., returns after starting 13 games last season. She registered a .804 save percentage, 1.23 goals against average and two shutouts. ...Central Washington finished its 2007 campaign 7-10-2 overall and 4-8-2 in the GNAC. The Wildcats were picked to finish fourth in the 2008 Great Northwest Athletic Conference pre-season coaches' poll released last week. Before facing the Jacks on Saturday, the Wildcats will host UC San Diego on Thursday. ...The Wildcats will be looking to a pair of four-goal scorers from a year ago, sophomore Kaycie Hutchins, forward from Port Orchard, Wash., and senior Chelsea Lovin, a forward from Sumner, Wash., top make up for the loss of last year's top scorer Kelsey Penn, who did not return to the team. ...Senior Lynde Clarke, a midfielder from Albuquerque, N.M., earned second-team all-GNAC honors last season after scoring one goal and added two assists while starting all 21 games for the Wildcats. ...In goal, Amber Easterbrook, a junior from Kent, Wash., returns after posting four shutouts, a 1.08 goals against average and a .835 save percentage in 16 games last season. ...Academy of Art is a first-year NAIA program. The school had been trying to get into the Pac-West Conference, but the NCAA denied its request for Division II status. Before facing Humboldt State next week, the team will travel to Chico State on Sunday.

Cumbo's Comments: “We have spent a lot of time in practice in front of the goal and working on things in the final third,” said Cumbo. “Both Western Oregon and Central Washington are old conference rivals and we are excited to play both teams after not being able to the past few years.”