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ARCATA, Calif. – Humboldt State men's soccer aims to build on its early season success when it begins California Collegiate Athletic Association play this week. The North Coast squad hosts Cal State San Bernardino Friday (3 p.m.) and Cal Poly Pomona Sunday (2 p.m.) at College Creek Field.
The Lumberjacks (2-1-1) return home after playing their first four matches on the road, including a trip to the East Bay last weekend. HSU split the weekend road trip with a loss to Regis and a win over Upper Iowa. Redshirt freshman Kory Gilmore was responsible for the game-winning goal in Saturday's 1-0 victory over the Peacocks.
"I think collectively we've done a really good job at executing our defensive game plan," said Head Coach
Fred Jungemann. "Kory Gilmore scored a great goal for us on Saturday, and
Robert Quintero stopped a penalty kick – both were very big situations for us. There hasn't been a situation where someone has put the team on their back and ran with it. It's more of a team effort. I think everyone is working really hard and doing things the right way."
Cal State San Bernardino is riding a wave of momentum after back-to-back wins to close out preseason competition. The Coyotes (2-1) have scored five goals in their last two matches and a pair in Saturday's win against Concordia. Diego Casillas and Keo Ponce lead the team with two goals apiece.
"San Bernardino is a little bit of an unknown," said Jungemann. "They have had a couple of decent results so far, so they're obviously doing something right with the new coaching staff. They are moving the program in the right direction, but until we see them play we really won't know much."
Pomona, the national runner-up last season, will have seven matches under its belt by the time it arrives in Arcata. The Broncos played four of their first five matches at home, and they will face Sonoma State Friday.
"Pomona is obviously a very good team," said Jungemann. "They were national runners-up last year, so the expectations is that they're going to be coming in with a very strong team. I think our guys are very excited for this challenge, but also very aware of just how good this team is."
Live stats and video for both matches will be available via the links above the preview.
