ARCATA – This week the Humboldt State women's soccer team (5-3-0, 2-2-0) returns to action in Redwood Bowl with a pair of California Collegiate Athletic Association matches.  The Jacks welcome the Otters of Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.  On Sunday the San Francisco State Gators are up for a 2 p.m. tilt.

HSU split a pair of CCAA matches last week in Southern California.  On Sunday the Jacks used a pair of Arielle Kern goals to down Cal Poly Pomona, 3-2.   That result came after a 0-2 loss in sweltering heat at Cal State San Bernardino on Friday afternoon.

Head-to-Head
Humboldt State holds a 5-2-0 record against CSU Monterey Bay and split last season's matches.  Winning at home early in the year, 2-0 before dropping a late season match in Seaside, 0-2.  The Jacks are 4-0-0 all-time against the Otters in matches played in Arcata.  In 17 total matches against San Francisco State, the Lumberjacks hold an 8-6-3 advantage.  The two sides split last season's two matches, each winning on its home field.

Johnson's Comments
“I was a little disappointed with Friday's result.  The heat was a huge issue, but while they were a good team, they were no better than any other team we had faced and I felt we could have come out with a win.  On Sunday, we had a great win.  We didn't perform as well as I would have hoped in the first half.  At halftime, I got after the girls and they really responded.  We stopped them from playing the long balls, we forced our will on the match.  We started winning 50/50 balls, winning tackles and we denied them space to operate. It was a thrill to see them respond.  It was one of the best halves we have put together this season.” … “Monterey Bay is either better than their record shows.  They are scrappy which is a concern.  We don't want to have a let up, like the USC football team had at Washington on Saturday.  SFSU will be a very difficult game regardless of their record.  They are physical and scrappy.  We will have to play like we did in the second half Sunday.  Regardless of the opponent, we have to produce wins to keep pace with Chico State. ”

Lumberjack Notes
For the second week in a row the Jacks are regionally ranked.  The NSCAA/adidas poll has HSU climbing one spot, to No. 6, in the West Region. …With the 3-2 win at Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday, the Jacks snapped a 15-match road-losing streak within the CCAA, dating back to 2006. HSU, with six points, is now in second place in the CCAA North Division and can put distance between themselves and third-place SFSU, four points, and fifth-place Cal State Monterey Bay, 3 points, this weekend.  …Junior striker Arielle Kern leads the squad in goals (5), points (11),  shots (14) and shots on goal (8).   She has two game-winners and has twice scored two goals in a game, including the 3-2 win over CPP last Sunday.  …Katie Forba, a senior, and freshman Carly Kolpin each have two goals.  Kolpin's scores have both been game-winners.  In goal, keeper Kelly Sandberg has played the majority of the minutes, more than 737, and has allowed nine goals while making 42 saves for a .824 save percentage and 1.10 goals against average.  Sandberg's record is 5-3-0.

Opponents Notes
The Cal State Monterey Bay Otters (2-5-1, 1-3-0) are in a two-way tie for fifth place in the CCAA North.  After winning their conference opener, the Otters have dropped their last three matches. In their current losing streak, CSUMB has failed to find the back of the net while allowing a total of 10 goals. …Cal State Monterey Bay's offense is led by Alyssa Matheson, with three goals and six points.  Sarah Alderson has netted two goals on the season both of which have been game-winners.  Andrea Davis has a 2-5-1 record with one shutout and a save percentage of .714.  …The Jacks and Otters have played three common opponents, Seattle Pacific, Saint Martin's and Western Washington.  CSUMB went 0-2-1 against them, while the Lumberjacks were 2-1-0.  …CSUMB is led by first year head coach Artie Cairel.  Cairel has been the Otters' men's coach for the past seven seasons and retains that position as well. …The Gators of San Francisco State (3-3-2, 1-2-1) are tied for third place in the CCAA North with Sonoma State.  Katie Voss, eight points on four goals, and Carly Bliss with three goals and six points lead the Gators offense.  Rachel Lauderdale has a 1-3-1 record in goal while saving shots at a .759 clip.  The Gators opened conference play with a win, but have failed to get a result in their last three matches.  The Jacks and Gators have three common opponents, Saint Martin's, Seattle Pacific and Western Oregon.  SFSU went 1-1-1 against them, while the Lumberjacks were 2-1-0. SFSU will play at Sonoma State prior to its visit to Arcata. … Jack Hyde, in his 26th season, leads the Gators.  His SFSU record is 193-258-62.