ARCATA, Calif. – Riding a five-game winning streak after back-to-back, game-winning goals by Isaiah Dairo, the Humboldt State men's soccer team plays host to CCAA conference rival Sonoma State this weekend, Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
The team is coming off a very successful conference venture south, as they bested Cal State East Bay 2-1 in double overtime on Friday night and dropped Cal State Monterey Bay 1-0 on Sunday to run their record to 5-1 on the season.
 
"Our team's road success shows a lot of determination and hard work," said Head Coach Fred Jungemann. "The guys have really come together as a team and we talked a little about that last week; if we go on the road and we don't have that to rely on, we're not going to get the results that we've had."
 
Jungemann referenced the team's two overtime wins in saying he respected the "fortitude" of this year's team.
 
Dairo leads the team with eight shots on goal and eight points on the season, but freshman Francisco "Frankie" Calderon has made his mark as well thus far, with 16 shots, four of them being on goal.
 
"Just by looking at how hard we've worked in practice, for the last five games, we've definitely deserved it," said Dairo. "The main thing I see is how we all fight for each other, and that's what I love about this program. It's something we want to continue, and I think we're off to a good start."
 
Dairo mentioned how satisfying it was to come in and best an East Bay squad that defeated the Jacks last year in overtime. He also shared that the bus ride back home was full of song from the players, who were celebrating their 2-0 road conference start.  
 
Sonoma State comes in with a 4-2-1 record, having won both of its conference matchups this past weekend as well.
 
Asked about how his team matched up with Sonoma State, Jungemann put the focus on the elements of the game his team had control over.
 
"One of the things for us this year is that we've talked a lot about not being concerned who's on the other side of the field from us. The important thing for us is what we do as a team. If we come out and take care of business, take care of the ball, work hard defensively, and take care of the details of the game, we feel we have a chance to beat anybody. I think that's what's giving us confidence right now."