ARCATA –This week the Humboldt State men's soccer team (1-6-1, 0-4-0) welcome the Otters of Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff.  Then on Sunday, the San Francisco State Gators are up for an 11:30 a.m. tilt. The California Collegiate Athletic Association action takes place in Redwood Bowl.

The Jacks lost a pair of CCAA matches last week in southern California.  On Friday they fell at Cal State San Bernardino 2-1, with Ray Lind collecting the HSU goal.  Sunday in Pomona, they lost 3-0 to Cal Poly Pomona.

Head-to-Head
Humboldt State's record against CSU Monterey Bay is 3-3-1.   Early last season these two played to a 2-2 tie in Arcata, but the Jack went to Seaside later in the year and got a 3-2 win. Prior to last year's split each side had swept the season series, CSUMB in 2007 and HSU in 2006.  Their only other meeting was a 2004 match with the Otters traveling to Arcata and leaving with a 2-1 win.  Against San Francisco State, the Lumberjacks hold a 29-22-7 advantage.  The two sides split last season's matches, each winning on its home field. This rivalry dates back to the fist year of Lumberjacks soccer, in 1971.  The teams played to a 1-1 tie that year and have faced each other at least once each season since.

Johnson's Comments
“Last week was a huge step backwards for this team.  We finally stopped making mental mistakes, but there was complete lack of discipline on the defensive side of the ball.  Our midfielders were constantly beaten.  In the midfield we were beaten from 18 (yards out) to 18.  Unfortunately, those players are mostly upperclassmen and they are not leading by example.  We have talent and skill, enough to win some games in this conference, but if players are not getting the job done, there will be changes made.” …“Both opponents this week started off conference play with a win, but have struggled recently.  I'm not to sure what Monterey Bay will bring to the table, but they have played quality opponents recently and haven't gotten the results.” … “SFSU always has teams that can surprise you. They have struggled a bit in conference, but they can break through at anytime.  We have to play our game and see what happens.”

Lumberjack Notes
HSU is in the midst of a six-game losing-streak, including a 0-4-0 record in the CCAA.  The Jacks are in sixth place in the CCAA North, four points behind both SFSU and CSUMB.  …Junior Josh Suggs leads the Jacks attack with three goals and seven total points.  Senior Ben Vasser and Junior Scott Mariani have each found the back of the net twice this season.  Keeper Kyle Verle is 1-6-1 while playing 731 minutes, 19 seconds between the pipes.  His save percentage is .724.


Opponents Notes
The Cal State Monterey Bay Otters (1-5-1, 1-2-1) are in a two-way tie for fourth place in the CCAA North with San Francisco State.  After winning their conference opener, the Otters dropped their last three matches. In their current winless streak, CSUMB has failed to find the back of the net. …Cal State Monterey Bay's offense is led by Andrew Breault, who has five points on two goals and one assist.  Nate Torricelli and Mario Khoury have scored the only two other goals for the Otters this season.   Brenden Baca has seen the majority of the minutes in goal.  His record is 1-4-1 with a save percentage of .786. …CSUMB is led by eighth year head coach Artie Cairel. …The Gators of San Francisco State (4-3-0, 1-2-1) are tied for fourth place in the CCAA North with Cal State Monterey Bay.  With five goals, four assists and 14 points, Dylan Glass leads the Gators offense in 2009.  Edgar Villagrana has added four goals for eight points.  Mike McNeil has a 4-3-1 record.  …After opening conference play with a win and tie, the Gators have dropped their last two matches and will be at Sonoma State on Friday.  Joe Hunter, in his 13th season, leads the Gators.  His SFSU record is 86-156-12.