Box Score ARCATA – Zach Hammond scored two goals and had an assist to lift Humboldt State 4-1 over the visiting Cal State East Bay Pioneers.

The Lumberjacks improve to 2-3 overall, 2-2 in conference, with the win, while the loss drops the Pioneers to 1-5 overall, 0-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Humboldt State will travel to San Francisco State Friday before it heads to Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday.

"We have big games coming up so it's great to have momentum going into this road trip," said head coach C.J. Johnson.

Johnson and his team have been working on connecting offensively and their practicing has paid off. In the 34th minute, Brian Holmes sent a byline pass back to an open Peter Darquea who was able to slip the ball past Pioneer goalkeeper Bryce Bookhamer, giving the Jacks a 1-0 lead.

"That first goal helped us find our way," said Johnson. "I was really please to see our wingers getting bylines off."

Humboldt State continued to pressure Bookhamer and his defense, firing off a season-high 28 shots, led by Hammond and Ray Lind who both had five shots.

"We had an emotional first win Friday which I thought was one of the best games we've played in three years, so I was a little concerned going into this game," said Johnson.

Hammond eased Johnson's concerns with what would be the game winner in the 53rd minute, slotting a breakaway past Bookhamer. Just three minutes later Hammond put away an insurance goal off a give-and-go with Darquea, making the score 3-0.

The shots continued to rain down on the Pioneers before Holmes found the back of the net in the 67th minute off a nice layoff from Hammond. The four-goal lead gave Johnson an opportunity to get some younger players experience and rest his starters.

Cal State East Bay did not give up despite the four goal deficit. Andres Ponce's shot hit the crossbar in the 78th minute, but Javier Martin was able to slot the rebound past Kyle Verle to put the Pioneers on the board.

"Our starting back four has cleaned things up and improved 100% since our first game, but we still need to work on not giving up corner kicks and fouls," said Johnson. "It's something we need to learn from and grow, but I'm certainly happy with the possession out of the back."

Johnson and his staff are pleased with the progress the team has made and hope to continue the momentum heading into the Jacks' second road trip of the season.