ARCATA, Calif. – Following two disappointing road results, the Humboldt State women's soccer team (0-2-0) returns to the North Coast this week. The Lumberjacks face Western Washington Tuesday and Dixie State Thursday. Both games begin at 3 p.m. PT.
 
The Lumberjacks open its home slate with back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday against undefeated Western Washington (2-0-0) and Dixie State (1-0-0), respectively. Dixie does have one match before traveling to College Creek Field, a Monday night showdown with CCAA-member Cal State San Bernardino (1-0-1).
 
Despite two opening weekend losses, the Jacks remain confident. Both matches did feature tied score lines at the half. With each minute played, the young team is receiving more in-game experience and, for some, their first taste of soccer at the intercollegiate level.
 
Western Washington has two shutout wins in the early part of the season. In its season opener, the Vikings earned the victory with an overtime goal in the 96^th minute of play and outshot Cal Baptist 27-4. In the latest NSCAA Division II poll released Monday morning, Western Washington moved up tremendously from 14^th to seventh in the nation.
 
The two sides are very familiar with one another. In the 20th all-time match between WWU and HSU in 2014, the Vikings opened the Jacks season with a 0-2 loss. The game sparked a six-game win streak for the Green and Gold that lasted into CCAA play.
 
HSU will have an opportunity to learn more about Dixie State after watching the game film from Monday night. The Red Storm have left some questions unanswered, including which of its two goalkeepers will play against the Jacks. Dixie played both sophomore Danica Nusink and senior Stacie Gubler for 45 minutes apiece in the opener. This will be the first ever matchup between Humboldt State and Dixie State.
 
Following the first weekend of competition, senior graduate transfer Caitlin Plese leads the CCAA with 13 total saves in her two matches. Freshman Bridget Daley scored the lone goal for the Jacks this past weekend, heading in a cross from fellow freshman Alex Jenkins.