ARCATA, Calif. — The Humboldt State Women's soccer team looks to build off their season-opening win last week as they prepare to take on Western State (Colo.). The match is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 7 at 4:30 p.m.

After dropping the season opener 2-0 to a nationally-ranked Concordia (Ore.) squad, the Lumberjacks bounced back and shut-out Dominican University 1-0 last Saturday. 

"We pressed both games really well," said Head Coach Paul Karver. "We possessed the ball really well, especially the second game. We had the ball the majority of the game and we dictated play a lot, and when we lost it we did a really good job of recovering the ball. "

HSU's swarming defense was a problem all match for the Penguins as the Green and Gold held the opponents to only two shots on goal. Senior forward Alex Jenkins chipped one over the keeper in the 38:43 minute for the game-winner, scoring the team's first goal on the season. Senior goalkeeper Nora Goodrie earned her first shutout victory and has four saves on 16 shots faced.

Western State enters the weekend 0-2-0 following last week's loss to Newman University. Newman's forward Colleen Howland broke the scoreless tie with a goal in the 15th minute and the Jets never looked back. Newman sealed the game with a goal by Grace Linton from 20 yards out in the 60th minute. Western State goalkeeper Emilie Eckhart played all 90 minutes for the Mountaineers and recorded three saves on eight shots. 

"They're 0-2 right now but they have lost to two very good programs out of the Midwest Region," said Karver. "We expect a battle. They're going to be big, strong, and physical and they move the ball well. They play in a 4-3-3 so that's something we're comfortable playing against. I think we'll have advantages in the wide spaces in the midfield so hopefully we can come out of that one with a win."

This will be the first meeting between the two programs.

Humboldt wraps up the weekend as they face a tough Colorado Mesa team on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 11 a.m.