ARCATA — On Friday, the 2009 Humboldt State women's soccer team opens its season when it faces off against the Wolves of Western Oregon University in a 1 p.m. kickoff in Redwood Bowl. The match will also mark the debut of new head coach Christian Johnson.
Johnson, who spent the last five years in the private sector, brings a 99-41-10 career record to HSU. His past triumphs include guiding the Azusa Pacific women's program to a 24-0-1 record and a national championship in 1998, leading to his selection as National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) NAIA Coach of the Year. In three years at Azuza Pacific (1997-99) he had an overall record of 57-9-3.
In the 2003 season, the last of Johnson's four seasons at CSU San Bernardino, his Coyote women's team was 11-8-2 and qualified for the NCAA West Region tournament for the first time in the 15-year program history.
Live Stats
Live statistics for all HSU women's soccer home games can be accessed at http://livestats.internetconsult.com/humboldt/wsoc while the event is in progress.
Head-to-Head
The Jacks hold an 8-7-1 record against the Wolves. The most recent meeting was played in Monmouth, Ore., last year, with Western Oregon scratching out a, 2-1, double-overtime win. With the win the Wolves have taken the last two matches in this regional rivalry.
Johnson's Comments
“I have only had two weeks to work with both teams, but I think that like the men's team, we had a .500 record last year and I would be disappointed if we did not play to that level and exceed it.”
Lumberjack Notes
The Jacks are coming off a 9-9-2 overall and 5-7-1 CCAA conference record in 2008 … HSU hopes to return to winning ways after consecutive seasons with non-winning records … The side returns the players who scored 19 of last season's 23 goals … The Jacks' offense will likely be led by junior striker Kim Carroll (5G, 4A, 14 Pts), senior forward/mid Allison Lawrence (6G, 1A, 13 Pts) … In net, Kelly Sandberg, who allowed only 22 goals in 124 shots-on-goal last season, is the Jacks' top keeper.… Last season these two teams had five common opponents (Sonoma State, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU San Bernardino, Saint Martin's and Central Washington) … HSU went 3-3-0 in those matches … The Jacks are 9-5-0 in season openers and 5-2-0 when they start the season at home.
Record Watch
Carroll, in just two seasons, slots into 12th place on the career goals list with 10 goals. She is two goals from joining a group of four athletes in a tie for 7th place with 12 goals … Lawrence is also knocking on the door of the career top-10 lists of goals. She has scored nine, and her eight assists are just one shy of four athletes tied for 8th place … Sandberg's career GAA, 1.16, moves her into 3rd place on the career list, and her six shutouts last season were good for a 5th place tie on the school's single-season list.
