First to come home will be the Lumberjack women’s soccer squad, which is back home in time for its game on Monday, Sept. 1 against Academy of Art in Redwood Bowl.
FOOTBALL OPENS AT DIAA SACRAMENTO STATE
Humboldt State begins the Rob Smith coaching era with a formidable opponent, NCAA Division IAA Sacramento State. The Lumberjacks kick off against the Hornets at 6:05 p.m. Saturday in Hornet Stadium.
HSU, 2-8 in 2007, seeks a competitive start under the direction of Smith, who was hired as head coach in February. He’ll put a team of 32 letterwinners and a large contingent of newcomers on the field to face Sac State, a team that returns 35 players from last year’s 3-8 squad.
Humboldt State fans are welcome to participate in a tailgate party in the afternoon prior to the big game. Contact Associate AD Tom Trepiak at 826-5959 for more information.
Jacks’ supporters unable to make the trip this week can listen to the action on KATA, 1340 AM radio, the North Coast’s ESPN affiliate. J.B. Mathers calls the action live from Sacramento, and will again be joined by HSU Hall-of-Famer Burt Norstrom, who adds commentary. The live audio will also be streamed live on the hsujacks.com web site.
Another feature allowing fans to track the game’s progress is the LiveState component of hsujacks.com. This week’s live stats will be made available through the Sacramento State web site at hornetsports.com.
VOLLEYBALL BEGINS AT OTTER CLASSIC
Inspired by the silver-medal performance of Team USA at the recently concluded Olympic Games, the Humboldt State Lumberjacks will chase their own dreams, beginning at this week’s Otter Classic in Seaside. Cal State Monterey hosts the event, which begins Friday and continues Saturday.
Friday’s matches begin with an 8:30 a.m. battle between Humboldt State and the University of North Dakota. The Lumberjacks are back on the court in the afternoon, taking on Merrimack College at 5:45.
On Saturday Humboldt State resumes competition at 8:30 a.m. against Wayne State University. Once again, the Jacks play the 5:45 p.m. match, concluding their participation against Western Oregon University.
MEN’S SOCCER FACES BAY AREA RIVAL
Notre Dame de Namur welcomes Humboldt State to Belmont for the men’s soccer season-opener on Sunday. The Lumberjacks and Argonauts resume their tight rivalry at 12:30 p.m.
Following their debut, the Jacks come home and begin preparation for their home-opener, scheduled for Sept. 5 against Oregon Institute of Technology.
WOMEN’S SOCCER FACES BUSY WEEK
Three games in a five-day period kicks the HSU women’s soccer team into action this week, starting with a two-game roadtrip to Monmouth, Ore.
The HSU women claim the honor of first sports team to compete when the play host Western Oregon at 4 p.m. Thursday. They’ll remain in Monmouth for a neutral site game against Central Washington at noon Saturday.
Relocated to Redwood Bowl for what’s expected to be the next two seasons, HSU women’s soccer plays its home-opener Monday under the lights. Academy of Art, out of San Francisco, will join the Jacks for a 7 p.m. start.
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY IN ALASKA
Two meets in three days makes a trek to the northernmost state worthwhile for the Humboldt State men’s and women’s cross country teams.
On Thursday HSU will compete in the University of Alaska Invitational, and on Saturday the Jacks will participate in the Birch Hill Invitational. Both meets will be held in Fairbanks.