ARCATA, Calif. – The Humboldt State women's soccer team is looking forward to beginning its home CCAA campaign with a Wednesday noon matchup versus Sonoma State.
The Jacks are coming off their opening weekend of CCAA play in which they faced off against Cal State East Bay last Friday, losing 2-1, and Cal State Monterey Bay on Sunday, a game that ended in a 1-1 tie.
HSU, 3-1-1 overall and 0-1-1 in the CCAA, looks to find success against a formidable opponent in Sonoma State, which is 6-1 and coming off a 2-0 victory against Cal State East Bay.
"The good news is we play Sonoma tomorrow, and anytime you get to play your rival you know you're going to be up for the game," said Head Coach
Paul Karver. "There aren't a whole lot of things that need to be said to this group to get them excited to play that game, and we know that Sonoma's going to bring their best game. As far as being mentally and emotionally prepared, that will take care of itself."
Midfielder
Alex Jenkins has led the offensive attack for HSU this season, with 15 shots, 12 shots on goal, four goals and one assist. After not taking the pitch on Friday, center and outside back
Rachel Herman came up big for the Jacks on Sunday with their lone goal after retrieving a loose ball in the box.
"We were a little bit cocky coming in with three wins and we woke up a little bit on Friday, and came prepared on Sunday," said Herman. "So we're definitely awake now, and ready to play."
After Sonoma State, the team will then go down to Vallejo this weekend, where they will face Embry-Riddle of Arizona on Friday at 5 p.m. and Benedictine at Mesa (also of Arizona) on Sunday at 11 a.m. According to Karver, both Arizona schools were traveling for one game this weekend, so HSU took advantage of the opportunity to pick up two quality games.
"It's definitely going to be a lot, and it's going to be hard on the bodies and the mind, and we've got to stay in it mentally and physically," said Herman of the rigorous schedule this week. "Mostly, we're just sticking together as a team, making sure we're bonding, taking practice pretty light, making sure we're keeping our bodies set for the game. We're doing a lot of ice baths, a lot of recovery, but other than that just sticking together as a team."
