ARCATA, Calif. – Humboldt State men's soccer will kick off the season with a pair of non-conference games this week in San Francisco. The Lumberjacks will play William Jessup on Thursday at 4 p.m. before facing Hope International on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the SF State Classic.
 
The weekend trip to San Francisco is the first of two non-conference sets before the Green and Gold jump into California Collegiate Athletic Association play. Out-of-state opponents Regis and Upper Iowa are scheduled for Sept. 8 and 10, respectively.
 
"We have a bunch of young players, but that happens when you graduate nine seniors," said Head Coach Fred Jungemann. "There's a lot of promise for the future, but at the same time a lot of unknowns. We do know, and we are optimistic, about the talent we have on this team."

The Jacks enter the season with a young team, with Trice Smith playing as the lone senior. Jungemann added 12 new faces to the roster this offseason.
 
Xahil McDonald and Cameron Spencer are the only two returning field players to log over 1000 minutes played last season, with both eclipsing the 1160 mark. With 13 starts apiece in 2015, look for these two to control HSU's back line in 2016.
 
Humberto Alvarez finished the 2015 campaign tied with the team-lead in goals scored. His offense will be needed, as 7 of the other 9 goals came from players who graduated following last season.
 
"Our conference is so difficult," said Jungemann. "We have to jump right into it. These non-conference games will be a great opportunity for our young guys to get experience before that first weekend."
 
HSU's home opener will be on Sept. 16, against CCAA foe Cal State San Bernardino. The weekend home stand continues on Sept. 18 with Cal Poly Pomona heading north to College Creek Field.
 
The Jacks then begin a grueling stretch in the heart of their schedule, traveling for six of the next eight matches to CCAA sites. The Oct. 14 and 16 games will break up that stretch.
 
Following one final trip to play Sonoma State and Chico State, HSU will conclude its regular season with Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Dominguez Hills coming to Arcata in the final weekend of October.