The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: Alberto muro

  • Revamped Resident Evil 3 Radiates Nostalgia

    Revamped Resident Evil 3 Radiates Nostalgia

    20 years later and Resident Evil 3 still feels just as good

    The Resident Evil franchise began as a survival horror video game that rose to fame in the 90s and has continued with a series of sequels and film adaptations. This is a brief, spoiler-free review about the recently released Resident Evil 3.

    Twenty years ago, I embarked on one of my many video game binges. This included playing Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. It was the first time I learned about the anxiety of being chased by the video game’s antagonist, Nemesis. On April 3, I relived that experience, thanks to Capcom delivering on the Resident Evil 3 remake.

    The plot of the video game features protagonist Jill Valentine, a returning character from the first game’s story line, which saw the Special Tactics and Rescue Service members trapped in a mansion fighting for survival against nightmarish creatures. In Resident Evil 3, the fight for survival takes place in the streets in the fictional Raccoon City.

    In the remake, the game’s mechanics have changed slightly, giving you the ability to dodge more efficiently, as opposed to the original, in which you had to rely on frantic button-pressing and leaving it to chance. Another returning feature is the ability to craft ammunition, giving the player a fighting chance as increasing difficulty makes items more scarce.

    With Valentine and Nemesis as the main features of the game, it did radiate the nostalgic feeling I had when I first played 20 years ago.

    Although the game was a perfectly rendered remake, I do have some complaints that affected my nostalgia. Let me start off with the main concept, which is encountering Nemesis. In the original game, you had to fight your way through the city, and upon arriving at the police station, you had to fight for your life.

    In the remake, that suspense is taken away when you encounter Nemesis at the start of the game. Adding on to that complaint is the use of cut scenes in which Jill Valentine runs away from Nemesis. In the original it was solely up to you, the player, to control Valentine in hopes that you can fend off the creature.

    Another grievance focuses on the locations in the game. The remake felt shorter than the original and that’s because the creators decided to cut down the time it took for the player to explore certain parts of the game. Originally it took hours of exploration to acquire items for progression through areas, but by taking that out, it felt more like a rushed experience.

    Other than those issues, the game is worth trying out. With Valentine and Nemesis as the main features of the game, it did radiate the nostalgic feeling I had when I first played 20 years ago. Capcom really went above and beyond to deliver another quality product similar to their Resident Evil 2 remake which launched last January.

    Whether you are a lifelong fan or new to the Resident Evil series, I assure you the recent remakes are worth the purchase, especially for the revamped story line.

  • Here’s What The Lumberjack is Watching, Reading, Playing and Doing

    Here’s What The Lumberjack is Watching, Reading, Playing and Doing

    Some unedited recommendations and brief reviews from some of our staff

    Life and Arts Editor Grace Caswell

    What I’m watching:

    Just finished “Tiger King.” It’s the most ridiculous and unbelievable show I’ve seen yet with a surprising amount of depth.

    What I’m reading:

    “Noam Chomsky” by John Lyons.

    What I’m playing:

    None :/

    What I’m listening to:

    Lots of new music is being released but right now Toro y Moi and Jhene Aiko.

    What else I’m doing:

    Yoga and meditation has been a go to as well as cooking healthy foods. Anything to keep my mind at ease and health immunity high.

    Managing Editor Chelsea Wood

    What I’m watching:

    I’ve been watching the final season of “Schitt’s Creek” which has been a bittersweet reflection of the last five seasons.

    What I’m reading:

    I’ve been reading more of a book I started last summer. It’s called “The Spaceship Next Door” and it about a teenager who grew up in a small town where a spacecraft crashed years ago but never left.

    What I’m playing:

    Minecraft. I trash talked this game as a teen, but it’s amazing and I love creating things on it. It’s extremely entertaining and relaxing.

    What I’m listening to:

    I’m listening to lots of downbeat songs—music that soothes the soul with catchy beats. Just stuff to satisfy this melancholy phase I’m swimming through.

    What else I’m doing:

    I picked up an old hobby, basket weaving. It’s a relaxing and simple task that yields a useful item. And no that’s not a BS excuse, basket weaving is the shit.

    Editor-in-Chief James Wilde

    What I’m watching:

    I just finished season three of “Ozark.” It’s a crime drama with superb characters and writing that had an unexpected depiction of mental illness that probably hit a little too close to home and (full disclosure) made me tear up.

    What I’m reading:

    I just finished “Why Time Flies,” by Alan Burdick, a fun little foray into the way we think about time. Next up: “The Glass Hotel,” by Emily St. John Mandel.

    What I’m playing:

    Call of Duty: Warzone with my brother and some friends. I hate the premise of Call of Duty and, you know, shooting people, but as long as I ignore that it’s lots of fun.

    What I’m listening to:

    Kind of all over the place, which isn’t out of the ordinary. Indie stuff to hip hop to alt rock to electronic stuff to jazz to whatever else. Oh, and random Tiny Desk Concerts.

    What else I’m doing:

    Walking or going on runs to get out of the house. Drowning in schoolwork. Lying on the floor.

    Opinion Editor Alexis Parra

    What I’m watching:

    “Gentrified”- A show that hits home for people of color. “Tiger King”- A cult war in the world of big cats.

    What I’m reading:

    “Z: The Beginning of Everything”- the untold story of Zelda Fitzgerald and beautifying her life.

    What I’m playing:

    None.

    What I’m listening to:

    My playlist on LJ- All of my favorites songs and energy that I carry into one playlist. “La Platica”- A bilingual podcast where the host is funny and talks about dumb shit and real shit.

    What else I’m doing:

    Painting. Make-up. Face masks. Talking to my family. Getting creative while also taking care of my skin and keeping in touch with my loved ones.

    Sports Editor Thomas Lal

    What I’m watching:

    “Drive To Survive,” a super fun look into the 2019 F1 season with the dramatic thrills and spills to match!

    What I’m reading:

    “Permanent Record” by Edward Snowden. An intriguing and somewhat terrifying read.

    What I’m playing:

    The Witcher 3. This game has consumed my life. Loving the story and exploring the world.

    What I’m listening to:

    So much music, mostly ska, punk and jazz along with the “Every Little Thing” podcast.

    What else I’m doing:

    Being sad without any sports to watch.

    Web Editor Seth Finnegan

    What I’m watching:

    “Community.” The always funny comedy about students at a community college.

    What I’m reading:

    None.

    What I’m playing:

    Dead Rising and MLB The Show 19. Filling the sports void with hitting baseballs and zombies with baseball bats.

    What I’m listening to:

    The “Adventure Zone” podcast. Three brothers and their dad play D&D together.

    What else I’m doing:

    Learning to play darts. It’s very frustrating but very fun!

    Video Editor Benjamin Zawilski

    What I’m watching:

    The filmography of David Fincher and Hayao Miyazaki, and “The Good Place” on Netflix.

    What I’m reading:

    Rereading “Peter and the Starcatchers” by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, which was one of my favorite book series as a child

    What I’m playing:

    Overhearing my sister play Animal Crossing.

    What I’m listening to:

    The film scores of Mark Mancina, Alexandre Desplat, and James Newton Howard.

    What else I’m doing:

    Hiking at least five miles a day, sometimes up to seven, and have done a considerable amount of housecleaning.

    Reporter Deion Alston

    What I’m watching:

    “Coffee & Kareem.” Cop dates kid’s mother and him and kid (Kareem) uncover a conspiracy of dirty cops.

    What I’m reading:

    Haven’t been reading books tbh, but a lot of news article pertinent to sports, COVID-19, crimes etc.

    What I’m playing:

    Fortnite and NBA 2K 20. Fortnite is a shooting game and 2K is professional basketball at your finger tips.

    What I’m listening to:

    For podcasts, I listen to “Up in Smoke” hosted by two former NBA players, Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. It’s very interesting—great interviews and guests as well. For music I’m listening to a lot of Lil Uzi, G Herbo, Tory Lanez. So basically rap, hip-hop and R&B.

    What else I’m doing:

    I’m cooking a lot more—takes time up in the day. Do my 250 push-ups everyday and step-ups for some cardio. And occasionally throw the football in the drive way.

    Reporter Dakota Cox

    What I’m watching:

    “Seinfeld” & “Empire.” “Seinfeld” is a wonderful waste of time. “Empire” is a must-binge, cutthroat musical.

    What I’m reading:

    “Hurricanes” by Rick Ross is a fairly generic success story in terms of rapper autobiographies. “The Alchemist” is an extraordinary journey of the body, mind and soul.

    What I’m playing:

    Animal Crossing; don’t ask questions, go pick up the game!

    What I’m listening to:

    Going back and forth between oldies and hip-hop, gotta keep the serotonin up. Michael Jackson, Bob Marley and The Beatles are timeless, go listen! Gambino got the best album of 2020, @ me!

    What else I’m doing:

    Slipping out of sanity; would not recommend. Get a mask-on walk in when the sun shows it’s face; I like to play a little game called guess the gang members.

    Reporter Sarah Blunt

    What I’m watching:

    I just finished “I am not okay with this.” It was a really good show with short episodes that have a lot going on in them. 10/10. I also just recently watched “Freedom Writers.” That one was really good and empowering, also took place in Long Beach (where I’m from) so that was relatable (kind of).

    What I’m reading:

    “Looking for Alaska.” I’ve already seen the show on Hulu but I realized I had the book. So far it’s really good and John Green (the author) writes really descriptively so I never feel bored when I’m reading it.

    What I’m playing:

    None.

    What I’m listening to:

    Tons of music. Nothing in particular just going through my music apps and looking for things I haven’t heard before, or even music from shows i’ve watched that I liked the soundtrack. That’s most of what I spend my free time doing.

    What else I’m doing:

    Lately I’ve been taking bike rides alone just to get fresh air and not be stuck in the same surroundings. I never ride bikes but lately it’s just been a really nice way to get out the house but also keep my social distance from others. 10/10

    Reporter Ivan Ramirez

    What I’m watching:

    “Castlevania,” the show. “Mewtwo Strikes Back: EVOLUTION,” the movie.

    What I’m reading:

    Marcy Burstiner’s Investigative Reporting Book.

    What I’m playing:

    None.

    What I’m listening to:

    Psytrance, Electronic Dance Music, Drum & Bass, Electronic Rock.

    What else I’m doing:

    Meditating, talking to people on Discord, Instagram.

    Reporter Alberto Muro

    What I’m watching:

    I have started watching the Amazon Prime series “The Boys.” It has an interesting take on superheroes proving that not all of them are super. It’s a world where super heroes exist, now imagine their lack of empathy for saving people.

    What I’m reading:

    Currently reading through my textbooks so that I don’t fall behind on homework.

    What I’m playing:

    I am currently playing the remake of Resident Evil 3 which has updated graphics and character development.

    What I’m listening to:

    I am listening to the “Tinfoil Hat” podcasts since conspiracies take my mind on a wild ride

    What else I’m doing:

    I have transitioned from a student using critical thinking to an essential asset during a global pandemic thus turning me into a critical drinker.

  • Travel Back in Time in ARCADA

    Travel Back in Time in ARCADA

    ARCADA opens soon for lovers of video games and drinks

    Correction: this story previously implied ARCADA serves liquor. ARCADA only serves beer, cider and wine.

    If you thought Humboldt State University’s parking meters had a strong appetite for your coins, it’s time to put your pocket change to better use, because Humboldt’s first bar arcade is set to open soon.

    The team work of Kristen “P-Nut” Thompson and Amber Saba went above and beyond to create an establishment for arcade fans. Thompson and Saba are well renowned for running local restaurant A Slice of Humboldt Pie, and the next step was to introduce Humboldt’s bar arcade.

    Thompson and Saba have been working on the ARCADA project for some time. They chose 6th and K Street in Arcata for their location.

    “In our minds this project has been in development for five years, but physically we have been working on that building for a year,” Saba said.

    The arcade machines are budget friendly, so there is no need to break the bank trying to finish a level. An urge to break a machine might arise, but that’s the joy of vintage games.

    Arcada held a preview opening Feb. 23 and invited a limited number of people to check out the establishment. Thompson said even though their credit card machines weren’t set up, it helped give off an old school arcade vibe.

    “Due to our credit card processing company we get to pretend that it’s the 80s,” Thompson said. “So we are only accepting cash transactions.”

    The arcade machines are budget friendly, so there is no need to break the bank trying to finish a level. An urge to break a machine might arise, but that’s the joy of vintage games.

    • Kristen Thompson and Amber Saba presenting a welcoming environment for their preview opening of ARCADA Feb 23. | Photo by Alberto Muro
    • A Jurassic Park-themed pinball machine to match the vintage theme of ARCADA. | Photo by Alberto Muro

    When it comes to playing video games, people tend to enjoy the experience by themselves. Saba had those people in mind while developing ARCADA.

    “We have some introverted gaming people in the community who are very excited to have a public hangout space,” Saba said. “Where they don’t necessarily have to talk to someone, or if you go alone you don’t have to sit and be awkward.”

    ARCADA will be open for business Feb. 26 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., so don’t be alarmed if you come across heavy traffic from people waiting to get in.

  • Third Athletic Director Candidate at HSU

    Third Athletic Director Candidate at HSU

    On Feb. 11 HSU welcomed its third potential candidate for its next athletic director

    Jane Teixeira intends on bringing her 25 years of experience working with higher education as an administrator, coach, student-athlete and leader to Humboldt State University. Upon her arrival, Teixeira personally greeted everyone in attendance and made them feel comfortable. In return, staff took it upon themselves to show her the view of the College Creek Field from the Great Hall balcony.

    Once everyone got to their seats, Teixeira introduced herself and began speaking on the importance of establishing a connection with student athletes.

    “Cultivation is important. I’m a relationship builder and I have constructed my career on that,” Teixeira said. “I want to know about people I interact with. I want to know what you bring to the table and how I can help.”

    Athleticism is not the only concern Teixeira spoke about. She also reached out to student athletes at HSU with concerns of life outside of their sports. Whether the concern is athletics or socializing, Teixeira has shown that she can incorporate her goal of unification between students and the community.

    “I also want to see us build championships, not only from wins and losses, but being a champion in the community. And by that I mean leadership.”

    Jane Teixeira

    “I spoke with student athletes yesterday about job interviews,” Teixeira said. “I told them, remember the skillset you bring. Time management and organization as athletes are beneficial in the workforce.”

    Her next talking point was about being competitive––whether it’s on the field or in the classroom. Student athletes at HSU experience obstacles such as going on the road for games, which hinders their focus on academic work. Teixeira also talked about championships, but not in the tone of filling trophy cabinets.

    “I also want to see us build championships, not only from wins and losses, but being a champion in the community,” Teixeira said. “And by that I mean leadership.”

    After introducing herself and the ideas she has planned if she were to become athletic director, Teixeira began taking questions from the audience. The first question involved her unique experiences that she would bring to HSU.

    “Humboldt State Day would be great and you can have it at the plaza or the quad.”

    Jane Teixeira

    “I have worked with 14 institutes and their presidents, their athletics directors, SWAs, their coaches and student athletes on various levels,” Teixeira said. “My claim to fame was cleaning the Reggie Bush mess, not only by myself.”

    The Reggie Bush mess she mentioned involved University of Southern California football player and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo accepting gifts from agents. This act resulted in Bush relinquishing his trophy. Sanctions were also placed on USC athletics.

    The next question focused on the discontinuation of HSU’s football program and the effect it has had on homecoming. Other sports are capable of hosting the event, which would alleviate any concerns. Teixeira responded with alternatives to homecoming.

    “You can center it around any sport, or any big time of the year for the community,” she said. “Humboldt State Day would be great and you can have it at the plaza or the quad.”

    For the last question, Teixeira was asked if non-traditional sports like esports would have a place at HSU. She said she believes technological growth is important and she wouldn’t disregard esports.

    “Esports is a hot trend right now,” Teixeira said. “In fact the Peach Belt Conference is the first NCAA Division II conference as a whole to have esports. I believe there are six or seven institutions in that conference and we have to be on that innovative technology side. We don’t know if it’s good or bad unless we try it. I’m gonna have to learn it too so it’s exciting.”

  • Hoppin’ Around Humboldt

    Hoppin’ Around Humboldt

    Multiple stops for Humboldt hops

    Craft beer breweries around Humboldt County are on the rise, offering a variety of flavors and experiences from their establishments.

    Here is a brief rundown of the up-and-coming Humboldt Breweries:

    Lost Coast Brewery – Throughout the state, Lost Coast Brewery’s products are on shelves or tapped into kegs at other breweries. Kinetic artist Duane Flatmo is the mastermind behind the unique designs on most of the Lost Coast beverage containers. Flatmo transformed one of his popular works of art, “The Great White,” into a statue which can be seen hanging out and greeting people at the main brewery in Eureka.

    Six Rivers Brewery – Their slogan, “the brew with the view,” speaks volumes to the brewery that sits atop a hill overlooking farmlands and the ocean. Founded in 2008, Talia Machshon Clare and Meredith Maier are leading the operations in what is considered California’s second all-woman-owned brewery. You can catch them and their vibrant attitudes informing the public about their daily deals and upcoming events.

    Mad River Brewery – Tucked away in scenic Blue Lake, Mad River Brewery welcomes all walks of life. On the weekends, the brewery is a popular spot and seating is packed. Parking is a challenge unless you’re a cyclist—many of whom cruise through the area. Mad River Brewery and Eel River Brewing Co. have unique outdoor corridors to enjoy beverages under the Humboldt sky.

    Redwood Curtain Brewery – Redwood Curtain Brewery has two locations in Humboldt. Their first location resides in Arcata, and their second location opened up during the fall of 2018 in Myrtletown. Redwood Curtain has gained a reputation for providing new beverages weekly and challenging patrons to games of shuffleboard.

    They may not have a kitchen, but they have partnered with LoCo Fish Co. to offer plenty of delicious options to pair with your beverage of choice. While their beverages are found only at brewery sites, anyone with a compatible glass growler can take a glass of Redwood Curtain home. They also press a 32-ounce can for convenient enjoyment.

    Eel River Brewing Co. – Eel River Brewing Company throws upcoming beverage releases a week of dedicated events and specials. Located in Fortuna, this brewery was first to introduce Humboldt’s organic beer. During the summer of 2019, Arcata Main Street announced they would not allow the distribution of local craft beers for their annual Oyster Fest. Eel River Brewery partnered up with other Humboldt breweries and threw their own oyster festival. This not only gained support from the community, but drew such a massive crowd that the festival will be thrown again. Eel River Brewing Co. proves that servicing the community is a main priority for craft beer lovers.

    At all of these breweries, charity events known as pints for nonprofits are a weekly occurrence that work with local organizations to raise money for their cause. Pub crawls are usually the talk of the town when it comes to bringing people together to raise money, and when it comes to pints for nonprofit you get to communicate directly with the organization.

    • The Great White at Lost Coast Brewing on Jan. 30. | Photo by Alberto Muro
    • German-style dunkel beer at Redwood Curtain Brewery on Feb. 1. | Photo by Alberto Muro
  • Lumberjacks Host Logtoberfest

    Lumberjacks Host Logtoberfest

    Logging sports club invites competition for an axe amount of fun

    On Nov. 16, the Humboldt State Logging sports club held its annual Logtoberfest. This year they got to compete against schools including University of California, Berkeley, University of Nevada, Reno and Shasta College.

    In previous years, Logtoberfest was more of a practice session for HSU logging sports. This year HSU decided to make their event an open invitational and welcomed other university logging sports teams.

    Sounds of axes chopping and chainsaws revving echoed as those involved gathered around to show off their woodcutting skills. But the event was about more than just cutting wood. Logging athletes and their familiarity with each event provided entertainment while still ensuring safety.

    Vice President of the club and HSU forestry major Sophia Ackerman was in her third year competing in Logtoberfest. She was happy to see the arrival of the traveling schools and the growth of her logging team.

    “Our team has gotten bigger,” Ackerman said. “Logtoberfest in the past has been more like practice scrimmages against ourselves to get ready for competitions really early in the season.”

    Ackerman spoke highly about one event in particular: the obstacle pole. This event required an individual to carry an active chainsaw up a tilted log and cut off a portion of it.

    Another event called the horizontal chop involved a person positioning their feet on a log as they land multiple strikes until it breaks. Feet are exposed, but an important safety feature includes metallic footwear and chain-mail shin guards, so that in the event a contestant misses their intended target, no one is seriously injured.

    “Because it is extremely dangerous, if you glance out you can chop your leg. You gotta be comfortable with chopping and really good with the axe.”

    Jace Hunt

    Ackerman participated in the horizontal chop event and wasted no time chopping the log against her Shasta College opponent. Upon completion, Ackerman sat and took a break as she watched and cheered on her opponent to finish strong. Sportsmanship among the logging athletes has allowed them to form a bond of endless support for each other.

    Wildlife conservation major Jace Hunt competed in an event called the vertical chop, and after multiple swings from his axe, Hunt delivered a final blow to the log sending wood chips flying in every direction.

    Despite constant sawdust and wood chips flying everywhere, maintaining an uninterrupted line of sight was a goal the athletes thrived for. However, there were some participants that saw the flying chips as a motivational obstacle.

    Not only does swinging an axe demand physique but it demands discipline to assure that team members avoid inflicting bodily harm. Although this is Hunt’s second Logtoberfest, he did not compete in last year’s axe-wielding events.

    “You have to be on the team for a full year before you can do the vertical chop,” Hunt said. “Because it is extremely dangerous, if you glance out you can chop your leg. You gotta be comfortable with chopping and really good with the axe.”

  • HSU’s Debate Team Preps for Spring Season

    HSU’s Debate Team Preps for Spring Season

    Students from various majors hone their argumentative skills

    With winter break fast approaching and students preparing for finals, Humboldt State University’s debate team is pushing through with consistent practice sessions and preparing for scheduled competitions that start as soon as the spring semester begins.

    Responding to a topic may seem like an easy task, but compiling synchronized responses with a teammate can be overwhelming, especially when the goal is to not contradict each others’ claims.

    “Try publicly speaking about controversial issues, not knowing whether or not you will be speaking for or against your own values until 15 minutes before you have to do so.”

    Kimberley Nguyen

    Kimberley Nguyen, a philosophy major, is in her third semester with the debate team. She stresses over the challenging lack of preparation time before debates.

    “Public speaking on its own is a difficult task,” Nguyen said. “Try publicly speaking about controversial issues, not knowing whether or not you will be speaking for or against your own values until 15 minutes before you have to do so.”

    HSU’s debate team is currently practicing the British parliamentary debate method as they prepare for spring. This consists of team members pairing up, debating sides and creating counter arguments.

    During one of their practice sessions, assistant coach Olivia Gainer presented the teams with the topic. The topic surrounded the opening monologue of “All the World’s a Stage” from William Shakespeare’s play, “As You Like It.” The four teams proceeded to exit the room to prepare and come back later with their responses.

    “The team dynamic is definitely important and affects the way each round goes, it helps balance arguments off each other,” Gainer said. “Right now I’m looking at how well the team dynamic is and will give my input on their performance.”

    Research and compiling a strong argument is a must. With evenings being the only time frame to practice their tactics, the debate team optimizes their time wisely to alleviate obstacles in later competitions.

    HSU’s debate team is open to all and brands itself as a competitive sport. Exercising one’s mind to develop well constructed argument is as crucial as athletes utilizing their plays to put points on the scoreboard.

  • Men’s Soccer Finishes Season With an Emotional Senior Day

    Men’s Soccer Finishes Season With an Emotional Senior Day

    Jacks defeat Dominguez Hills by two goals, but fall to Cal State LA

    The Humboldt State University men’s soccer season concluded over the weekend and honored senior players at College Creek Field.

    It was an emotional ending to another season of Jacks’ soccer as the final two games yielded different results. On Thursday, the men’s team beat Cal State Dominguez Hills 2-1 with two goals from the Jacks leading scorer Isaiah Dairo. He scored the game-winner in the final minute.

    Saturday’s matchup against Cal State Los Angeles was held on Senior Day, and for athletes Robert Quintero, Rudi McClellan, Isaiah Dairo, Israel Gonzalez and Gus Baxter it was their last game as a Lumberjack.

    A ceremony commenced before the game, with senior players taking photos with their families and Head Coach Fred Jungemann. For some players like Isaiah Dairo, their last game had an impact on them.

    • Senior Isaiah Dairo moves the ball up the left wing for the Jacks during their match against Cal State Los Angeles at College Creek Field on Nov. 9. | Photo by Thomas Lal
    • Senior midfielder Rudi McClellan moves the ball up the field for Humboldt State during their match against Cal State Los Angeles at College Creek Field on Nov. 9. | Photo by Thomas Lal
    • Humboldt State’s Marco Silveira attempts to play the ball during the first half of the Jacks’ match against Cal State Los Angeles at College Creek Field on Nov. 9. | Photo by Thomas Lal

    “Having my family here motivated me,” Dairo said. “They don’t get to see a lot of games that I play and for them to see these last two games of my college career was special.”

    The Jacks fell to Cal State LA 2-1. The lonesome goal came from Dairo, but it was not enough to help the Jacks come back from a point deficit.

    “I had tears in my eyes when the final whistle blew because I looked over to my family, and they were clapping and filled with joy,” Dairo said.

    In the first half, the Jacks and the Golden Eagles were off to a competitive start. After a 20-minute scuffle for possession, Cal State LA slipped one through HSU’s defense giving them an early 1-0 lead.

    Two minutes later, Jacks’ midfielder Israel Gonzalez connected a pass to Dairo, which he finished in the Golden Eagles’ net.

    Senior Israel Gonzalez battles for the ball during the Jacks’ match against Cal State Los Angeles at College Creek Field on Nov. 9. | Photo by Thomas Lal

    HSU goalkeeper Robert Quintero kept his composure throughout the first half and made drastic saves.

    “In the first half I remember the pile of players fighting to score and me stretching out my hand to prevent the ball from crossing the line,” Quintero said.

    With ten minutes left in the first half, the Golden Eagles were able to score another goal on the Jacks. With the Jacks now trailing, Jungemann felt it was a response for his players showing a pulse in the fight.

    “Our goal reminded them we had a fight in us,” Jungemann said. “So they started to take us more serious, and they certainly did what they wanted to do, but our players held their ground.”

    Going into the second half, the Jacks and Golden Eagles fought hard to overcome the opponents’ strategies, but both teams were unable to add any points to the board.

    Humboldt State senior Gus Baxter soaks in the moment after his final game as a Lumberjack against Cal State LA at College Creek Field on Nov. 9. | Photo by Thomas Lal

    “This day is part of our lives every year and it doesn’t get easier,” Jungemann said. “It’s always a difficult and emotional day. The graduating players gave five years of their life to an organization that they had fun being apart of and now await the challenges ahead.”

    Dairo is saddened that his time with Jacks’ soccer is over, but his sights are set for furthering his career.

    ”It’s memorable knowing that this is another start in a journey for my life,” Dairo said. “It’s not the end of the road for anybody, you can always get better and in time I hope to play professionally.”

  • HSU Gets Exhibition Win Over Southern Oregon

    HSU Gets Exhibition Win Over Southern Oregon

    A back and forth battle sends the Raiders home in sorrow

    With the start of the season just around the corner, Jacks point guard Amari Green is confident that the Jacks will provide excellent results in their season opener against a good Point Loma team in San Diego on Friday.

    “We’re ready, we go to San Diego on Thursday and we’ll be playing against two very good teams,” Green said. “We have the right pieces and are tight-knit as a group and as long as we stay together we are going to take it all the way.”

    After dealing with a power outage during their first exhibition game and switching arenas to coincide with the HSU volleyball team, HSU men’s basketball returned to Lumberjack Arena for an exhibition game against the Southern Oregon University Raiders on Tuesday night.

    As the tip-off signaled the start of the first half, the Jacks wasted no time gaining possession of the ball and building an early 12 point lead over the Raiders. Missed shots from the Raiders hindered any early progress and helped the Jacks employ effective passing strategies.

    Humboldt State forward Raysean Scott Jr goes up for a layup through a crowd of Southern Oregon players in Lumberjack Arena on Nov. 5.

    Jacks players were quick and efficient, but as time progressed in the first half it didn’t take long for the Raiders to overcome its faltered plays and establish a tie. Jacks forward Raysean Scott Jr made his presence known as he maneuvered around the Raiders and found the basket.

    Raysean was a recipient of fouls from the Raiders, and at the free-throw line his teammates and opponents were aligned and ready to pounce on the ball at any given moment. He made five of his seven free-throws, which was enough to put points on the board.

    Both teams became physically involved and the battle for possession of the ball became intense. Fouls were arising and it was crucial that the Jacks avoided any potential mishaps.

    “They were calling ticky-tack fouls, so we tried to keep our hands up so [the refs] could see we weren’t fouled,” Jacks guard Leland Green said.

    Despite the game becoming physical, both teams managed to keep their composure by limiting their mistakes and avoiding technical fouls. After the first half Green said their offense improved when the Raiders attempted to outscore the Jacks.

    “I think we all played good,” Green said. “We let up the pressure, and as the game went on we realized we needed to apply more pressure.”

    Humboldt State forward Raysean Scott Jr jumps for the shot in Lumberjack Arena on Nov. 5.

    Players made their way back to the court for the second half which saw an influx of team chemistry with the Jacks. Activity from Jacks guard Isaiah Pope was at an all-time high as he delivered additional points on the board, giving his team an advantage over the Raiders.

    Raysean was substituted earlier in the second half, and his return to the court towards the end became a powder keg to an already highly active crowd which almost blew the roof off Lumberjack Arena.

    A staggered Raiders team dwindled in the final seconds of the game, and Raysean still delivered a blow to their morale with his slam dunk, making the final score 89-74. After the game, head coach Steve Kinder shared some inspiring words that he hopes to carry into the next games.

    “Through those wars and battles you try to stay composed and poised throughout the game,” Kinder said. “Whether things are going well, you can’t get too high and when things are going poorly you can’t get too low.”

  • Overtime Goal Sends Jacks Past Gators

    Overtime Goal Sends Jacks Past Gators

    Humboldt State women’s soccer beat San Francisco State in overtime

    After experiencing a rough patch in last weekend’s Southern California matches, the Jacks focused on rejuvenating their strategies against San Francisco State.

    In the first half, SF State fought hard for ball possession, creating shot opportunities that were met with resistance from Jacks’ goalkeeper Katelin Talbert.

    Midfielder Lindsey Stoner broke through and took a shot on goal, but a slide save by San Francisco player Illiana Gallegos deflected the effort. Shortly after, the Jacks were presented with a second shot attempt by midfielder Sabine Postma, but the crossbar above the net deflected the ball.

    The pressure put on SF’s offense forced them to shoot the ball during untimely situations. Although HSU had fewer shots during the first half, the up-close-and-personal tactics from the Jacks created an uneasy atmosphere that made it difficult for SF to focus.

    Lindsay Stoner battles the SF State defender at the edge of the penalty area. | Photo by Liam Warner

    The first period concluded with an impressive show of speed as both teams made a final push to add a point on the board. The second period saw a shift in strategy for SF as they began the period with an immediate shot on goal, which was quickly met with a save by Talbert.

    The Jacks found themselves in another overtime scenario, and the team gathered around Head Coach Paul Karver to discuss their strategy. After the time-out, Stoner was back on possession and broke through for a scoring chance. She was thwarted, but moments later would return with the help of Pikake Hix to score the game-winning goal.

    After the excitement settled down and players cleared the field, Talbert spoke on the team’s ability to remain calm and play steady.

    “When they play the ball back to me the other team doesn’t press as hard,” Talbert said. “It helps since our players are already on edge and need some time to focus.”

    Lindsay Stoner reflected on her teams’ effective offense strategies, which helped the Jacks secure a much-needed overtime win over SF.

    • #7 Rose Harman shields the SF State defender from the ball. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • Pikake Hix chases after the ball during the game against SF State. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • Kelsey Bess tries to draw the foul from #5 Kelsie Bozart. | Photo by Liam Warner

    “We made them nervous,” Stoner said. “We kept attacking them and kept them on their toes because we knew we needed this goal and we were inspired to win it.”

    Stoner produced six shots against SF and stayed consistent with keeping the rhythm going.

    The focus for now is the upcoming weekend as HSU squares off against Dominguez Hills and Cal State Los Angeles. Karver expects the opponents to be resilient towards the Jacks as their quest to secure points continues.

    “These are teams with two very polarizing styles of play, not the prettiest of football since there will be a lot of fouls and awkward emotion afterwards,” Karver said. “We got the points we needed today, and now we gotta get six more next weekend, but it’s one game at a time, and we’re really excited to have the opportunity.”

    Two games remain and the Jacks look forward to getting more points before the end of the season. This weekend the Jacks will host Dominguez Hills and Cal-State LA for afternoon games at College Creek Field.

    • Lindsay Stoner brings the ball up the field with an SF State player trailing. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • Jacks’ midfielder Kelsey Bess is fouled from behind by an SF State player. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • Kelsey Bess goes stride-for-stride with #19 Katelyn Patterson of SF State. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • Kelsey Bess corrals the ball at her feet during the game against SF State. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • #4 Kendal Spencer holds off SF State defender #7 Kylie Schneider. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • #22 Pikake Hix celebrates with her teammates after the overtime victory. | Photo by Liam Warner
  • Jacks Win First Exhibition Game

    Jacks Win First Exhibition Game

    A strong performance from transfer players creates a positive outlook for upcoming season

    Despite Humboldt County awaiting a blackout on Saturday, Jacks’ basketball made sure to keep the energy high on Friday night.

    The blackout forced Humboldt State Athletics to move its volleyball game to the same time as the scheduled basketball game, which meant the Jacks had to play in the East Gym.

    During the last few months, HSU men’s basketball added three Division I transfers to its arsenal. Compton, CA natives Raysean Scott Jr. (Florida Gulf Coast University), Leland Green (University of Hawaii) and Rob Lewis’ (Texas Southern University) combined efforts impact the game in a way the Jacks have missed for a while.

    Strategies issued by Head Coach Steve Kinder and Assistant Coach Rich Mendoza helped the Jacks focus on teamwork while capitalizing on opportunities to push points past Simpson.

    It’s not surprising for me, I knew from the recruitment trail last spring that we were onto some very talented players.

    Steve Kinder

    “It’s not surprising for me, I knew from the recruitment trail last spring that we were onto some very talented players,” Kinder said. “The players were remarkable and created a memorable environment for those in attendance.”

    The Jacks started off strong as guard Isaiah Pope found the net seconds after the first whistle. It wasn’t long before Simpson gave up their first foul and Jacks’ forward Raysean Scott Jr. capitalized on a free throw opportunity.

    Simpson began executing defensive plays against the Jacks as they attempted to find their place on the scoreboard, but it was met with resistance as the Jacks responded with chemistry between Scott Jr. and point guard Amari Green.

    Humboldt State point guard Amari Green strings for a play at the top of the key during the men’s basketball exhibition game against Simpson on October 25.

    The second half for the Jacks resulted in an increase of player activity and passing chemistry. HSU took another lead over Simpson as the battle for possession continued. The Jacks finished strong and concluded the exhibition game with a final score of 88-70.

    Kinder reflected on the importance of the East Gym and the impact it had on his coaching career with HSU basketball.

    “That East Gym experience today goes back to the good old days,” Kinder said. “It was the first time we have [played] there since the 2007 season, and to be back in there was quite a moment.”

    Despite the sudden change of venues, Kinder and his team were not impacted as the East Gym is a consistent training place.

    “We’ve held practices in there all year, so we felt like it was a road game for us,” Kinder said.

    Men’s basketball will hold one more exhibition game at Lumberjack Arena on November 5 against Southern Oregon University before hitting the road for an away game against Point Loma on November 8.

  • Jacks Fall to Eagles in Weekend Doubleheader

    Jacks Fall to Eagles in Weekend Doubleheader

    Humboldt Eagles shut down Humboldt State Lumberjacks in a double header on Oct. 13. The Eagles won with scores of 2-1 in the first game and 2-3 in the second.

    During the first pitch of the game, Ryin Alexander opened the 1st inning with a double and found himself reaching 2nd base. Other batters approached the plate and managed to send teammates around all bases, but the Eagles managed to secure three outs against the Jacks. However, Alexander ran for home plate putting the Jacks on the scoreboard.

    At the bottom of the 1st, Jack’s pitcher Chris Friedley stepped up to the mound, and despite walking a player and giving up a base hit, he kept his composure and pulled three outs from the Eagles. The Jacks were able to keep a 1-0 lead over the Eagles during a heated exchange of base hits and outs.

    Stolen bases were a frequent occurrence between the Jacks and Eagles. Despite their efforts to get players around the diamond, the pitching stalemate remained in effect. The exchange of outs was broken around the bottom of the 6th inning.

    Hitter Nick Mavrolas strikes out during the Jacks’ second game of the day against the Humboldt Eagles, at the Arcata Ballpark on Oct. 13. | Photo by Skye Kimya

    Eagles put a run on the scoreboard tying the game with the Jacks. Both teams now had a common goal for the next inning, scoring first. At the top of the 7th, a base hit by outfielder Lorenzo Hernandez gave the Jacks an upper hand but were routed by outs. It was then the bottom of the 7th and the Eagles were up to bat, but they faced similar challenges with one base hit and two outs.

    Up to bat was catcher Parker Johnson and under dire circumstances closed the inning with a walk-off which gave the Eagles a 2-1 win over the Jacks. With game 2 underway, the Jack’s and Eagles faced off in one more showdown.

    Martin Gordillo and Alejandro Caravalho helped the Jacks find an early lead on the scoreboard with an RBI. The Jacks had a 2-0 lead heading into the 4th inning, but tides turned when it was time for the Eagles to bat. With two players on base, the Eagles left fielder Miles Standysh hit a solid ball and secured a tie game.

    Another battle for a tie-breaker ensued but the Jack’s dropped their second game against the Eagles with a final score of 2-3.

    HSU club baseball doesn’t start until Spring 2020. Even though the season is months away, this is an opportunity for players to figure out effective playmaking and overcome obstacles that the team could potentially face in the upcoming season.

  • Savage Comedy with a Side of Hops

    Savage Comedy with a Side of Hops

    Savage Henry Comedy Fest fills Blondies with laughter

    Savage Henry’s 8th Annual Comedy Festival attracted 130+ comics from all over the nation to Humboldt County.

    Cher-ae Heights, Eureka and Arcata organize venues for the comedy festival and Savage Henry provides the necessities to get the laughter going and the entertainment rolling.

    This year, one of Arcata’s venues included Blondie’s Food and Drink where a dozen comedians took to the stage to test their material, hopeful of making the audience laugh.

    Peter Nellis, a resident comedian at Savage Henry, hosted for the evening and he was by no means a stranger to the comedic atmosphere.

    First up was Sydney Hupp from Chico, California. Hupp was ecstatic to kick off the Friday show as echoes of laughter followed her relatable humor. Hupp’s material centered around the perks of living in a small town and tips on not succumbing to unhealthy vices.

    After 10 minutes, Hupp thanked the audience and exited the stage, triggering another applause. The next comic to the stage was Tiffany Greyson, a comedian from Portland. Greyson joked about her past relationship dilemmas and distaste towards her son’s girlfriend.

    Challenge arose when not all scheduled comedians showed up to perform. This, however, did not prevent comedians from finishing their sets. Instead, it was an opportunity for comedians to welcome new faces into Blondie’s by including them into their material.

    James Couture pops open a bottle of champagne at the beginning of his set on Oct. 11 at Blondies in Arcata. | Photo Michael Weber

    Comedian Michael Cella endured slight heckling from audience members and patrons, with one audience member distracting Cella as he carried beers to his friends. However, Cella was quick to respond and adapt, joking of making sure to sit down and enjoy the beers. Another audience member asked Cella a question, believing the event to be an open panel, but Cella politely answered the question and reminded them to not interrupt.

    If the audience was testing Cella’s endurance, Cella was victorious and met with applause when he finished his set. After, Nellis took the stage again to give a big thanks to those in attendance and encourage others to attend the other comedy shows happening through the weekend.

    The official Savage Henry venue in Eureka kept its doors open throughout the festive weekend and hosted an additional social gathering for comedy after dark.

    “Tom Brady is not the devil. Bill Belichick is.”

    Andrew Boydston

    Bakersfield comedian Andrew Boydston told stories about his life and a set about substitute teaching quickly changed to sports and more specifically, Boydston’s distaste for the New England Patriots.

    “Tom Brady is not the devil,” Boydston said. “Bill Belichick is.”

    Boydston elaborated on his fantasy league and how Belichick impacted it. Boydston’s entertaining stories garnered positive audience reactions, with people laughing and nodding in agreement.

    “Bill Belichick said ‘screw you’ to the fans by making these trades and then he demolishes our fantasy football teams,” Boydston said. “I hate him.”

    With multiple shows happening around Humboldt County, Nellis and fellow Savage Henry members worked to make sure people enjoyed their time and most importantly, laughed.

    “It’s been busy since it started,” Nellis said. “Moving from different locations and setting up, but everyone is enjoying themselves and that’s all that matters.”

  • Oh SNAP! Farm Stand Feeds Students

    Oh SNAP! Farm Stand Feeds Students

    In addition to nonperishables, Oh SNAP! offers fresh produce twice a week

    Oh SNAP! is an on campus resource with a goal of helping Humboldt State students get food. During the fall semester, weekly stands of fresh-picked produce are available to students. Cooking a nutritious meal can be financially strenuous, but Oh SNAP’s farm stand is available twice a week.

    For students like HSU junior and microbiology major Matthew Peter it was their first year using Oh SNAP! to get their groceries.

    “This is technically my third time,” Peter said. “Now I’m trying to make an effort in coming.”

    The farm stand wasn’t the only service that Peter used, he was also familiar with the Oh SNAP! food pantry which provides nonperishable ingredients to make full meals.

    Peter says he enjoys the farm stand because he feels canned goods can go to students that need it.

    “I feel veggies are more volatile, for lack of a better term,” Peter said. “If there’s any leftovers they will have to be used that day, whereas cans can be stored for later.”

    Since the farm stand sets up twice a week, students have the opportunity to attend both days which Peter says he has started doing.

    Linda Mateo and Pand Moua at the Oh SNAP Farm Stand on Wed., Sept. 25. | Photo by Alberto Muro

    Unfortunately, not all students are aware of the Oh SNAP! program. Valerie Hernandez, a HSU senior and art major, says this was the first year she is using the program and didn’t recall it being mentioned during orientation.

    “Some people think they need to fill out paperwork, but no, it’s easy for students,” Hernandez said. “All you need is your student ID. I forgot mine at home but they can still help you.”

    If you accidentally forget your ID, like Hernandez did, don’t be alarmed because the volunteers at Oh SNAP! can still pull up your information.

    HSU senior and social work major Pand Moua volunteers at the Oh SNAP! farm stand every week and says the program also assists students in applying for alternative ways of getting food.

    “We have a ton of resources for students on campus,” Moua said. “We even help with Cal-Fresh applications and faxing.”

    Cal-Fresh is a resource that alleviates complications for students who do not have time to access the food pantry or farm stand.

    The Oh SNAP! food program is located at room 114 of the Recreation Wellness Center. Moua says that for students with disabilities, the location can be difficult to access but there are resources on campus to help.

    “Disabled students can use the Students Disabilities Resource Center for transportation and come get whatever they need.”

    The services provided by Oh SNAP! goes beyond food distribution, it also ensures the well being of HSU students.

    The growing season for local farms affects the operational days for the farm stand, but the program should be accessible for students even after finals. The academic calendar on HSU’s website has the farm listed until the end of the year.

  • Annual Alumni Rugby Games

    Annual Alumni Rugby Games

    Men and women’s rugby play against former players during alumni game

    Humboldt State’s alumni rugby games began with women’s teams. To advance during plays, players must use their upper body strength to block others and throw the ball.

    During the first half, HSU student and kinesiology major Libby Treu helped her team gain yards, but defensive plays and staggering hits from the alumni team prevented the students from making points.

    Hannah French (left) and Libby Treu pose for a photo during the alumni game halftime on Sept. 28. | Photo by Alberto Muro

    During the second half, HSU junior Zelaya Ceja attempted to make a recovery during a kick-off. She managed to gain momentum and maneuver around the alumni defense, but multiple alumni players closed in on Ceja and thwarted her possession of the ball which allowed a recovery for the alumna.

    • Libby Treu maneuvering through the defensive HSU Alumni team on Sept. 28 during the women’s match. | Photo by Alberto Muro
    • Hannah French taking on Zelaya Ceja during the Annual Alumni Rugby Game on Sept. 28. | Photo by Alberto Muro
    • A fight for possession ends on the ground during the women’s rugby game on Sept. 28. | Photo by Alberto Muro
    • HSU alumni loses possession during the first half of the women’s alumni rugby match on Sept. 28. | Photo by Alberto Muro
    • HSU Junior Zelaya Ceja taking on alumna players during the Sept. 28 women’s match. | Photo by Alberto Muro

    Multiple occasions of yards gained and ball possession helped the alumni seal a concluding victory over the students. A loss for one team did not diminish the clubs spirit. After the game, they lined up for a traditional handshake and got together.

    When asked, Treu said she took the game as a learning experience.

    “The alumni always win,” Treu said. “That’s part of it, but this is the best game of the year because we learn from it.”

    The women’s rugby season doesn’t start until spring 2020. For now, they look forward to training and fixing problems they encountered during the game against former players.

    Some alumna keep in touch with the younger generation of HSU players to help them work on their plays. Rugby is a tough sport, and HSU women’s player Hailey French knows that tackling is crucial.

    “I’m definitely pleased with the alumni today,” French said. “I’m impressed with the girls too, but they need to work on their tackling.”

    • HSU alum Seth Perez (’07) before the men’s match begins on Sept. 28. | Photo by Patrick McGown
    • Volunteer Forward Coach Nate Whittington (HSU alum ’01) during the pregame speech on Sept. 28. | Photo by Patrick McGown
    • Volunteer Coach Nate Whittington (’01) makes a hard tackle during the first half of the men’s alumni rugby game on Sept. 28. | Photo by Patrick McGown
    • Adonnis Johnson kicks the Gilbert toward opposition during the alumni men’s rugby game on Sept. 28. | Photo by Patrick McGown
    • Tumanako Te’i breaks a hard tackle during the alumni men’s match on Sept. 28. | Photo by Patrick McGown

    Delivering hits the right way ensures that players do not experience injuries early on in the game.

    During the men’s game, alumni Ricky Gomero gained possession of the ball and moved his team down the field. It was another well-executed run and pass technique that seemed endless before the students delivered a hit causing the alumni to lose possession.

    In what looked like a stack of bodies piling up, the fight for possession of the ball continued as both teams delivered hits.

    HSU senior and psychology major Glenn Denning was injured during the play, but instead of worrying about his foot he quickly had it wrapped up and went back onto the field.

    Glenn Denning gets patched up before heading back onto the field to finish the rugby alumni game on Sept 28. | Photo by Alberto Muro

    While the alumnus put up a fight, they eventually fell to the students. After the game, they lined up for handshakes and shared advice with one another.

    “Rugby is a lot of chemistry base,” Denning said. “It’s all about cohesion and commodity as a team. You gotta know where your partner is gonna be at.”

    Positive team chemistry has an impact on any sport. Rugby can be tough, but a clear head is what makes the experience enjoyable.

    (From left to right) Cameron Whitney Jr, Ricky Gomero (alum ’18) and Chris Armstrong after the men’s alumni rugby game on Sept. 28. | Photo by Patrick McGown

    Gomero graduated last year, but his dedication to return for an alumni game drove him to play hard and have fun. Before the match, Gomero was in Colorado playing in the Aspen Ruggerfest 52nd Annual Rugby Tournament.

    “I just got done playing the Ruggerfest in Aspen last week,” Gomero said. “I figured I needed to come and give the boys support.”

    Gomero plans to head back to the University of Boulder to pursue his graduate degree in law. He also gave some advice to all future graduates of HSU, to make sure to live life and love it.

  • LJ Sports Podcast 9/26

    LJ Sports Podcast 9/26

    Listen to the KRFH Sports Show live on Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on 105.1 KRFH or KRFH.net

    Featuring: Thomas Lal, Elliott Portillo and Alberto Muro

    https://soundcloud.com/user-815505871/lj-sports-podcast

    Part 1: It’s a solo sports show this week to start things off! Set loose by scheduling mishaps, Thomas takes a look at Jacks sports performances from the week and looks at what is on the horizon for the upcoming days in local athletics.

    Part 2: The San Jose Sharks preseason is discussed briefly along with possible lines for opening night and Elliott drops in to save everybody from repetitive rambling! We also talk a little about the upcoming MLB playoffs and discuss the Oakland A’s/Seattle Mariners series to round off the regular season.

    Part 3: We talk about the passing of local running coach legend Jim Hunt and dig deeper into the playoff picture for baseball. On the topic of Seattle we discuss possible names for the city’s future NHL team and Muro joins us straight from class to wrap things up with a little more local talk.

  • Women’s Soccer Triumphs Over Jessup Warriors

    Women’s Soccer Triumphs Over Jessup Warriors

    Jacks make it look easy as they beat William Jessup 4-0 at home

    It was a moment of glory for Humboldt State women’s soccer as they shut out the William Jessup Warriors and collected their first win. After a rough start to the season, the Jacks found a way to turn their errors around and create game winning plays.

    Three minutes into the first half was all it took for midfielder Lindsay Stoner to score the opening goal. This scoring opportunity gave midfielder Sabine Postma a chance to capitalize on a second goal minutes later. Jacks held a 2-0 lead just five minutes into the game.

    Since the start of the season, the Jacks have outshot every opponent but have come up short on finishing for a goal. Midfielder Pikake Hix produced six shots on goal and scored during the second half, putting the Jacks at a 3-0 lead.

    “I think we’ve always been able to build well as a team,” Hix said. “We just haven’t been able to finish.”

    • HSU forward #4 Kendal Spencer tries for a standing tackle on the William Jessup. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • HSU midfielder #7 Rose Hartman sizes up the Jessup defender. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • HSU midfielder #16 Sabine Postma takes on the William Jessup defender. | Photo by Liam Warner

    Warriors’ goalkeeper Camile Cavey put forth a valiant effort of 13 saves, but it was not enough to sway her team’s morale to overcome the onslaught of the Jacks’ offensive line.

    “We knew we had to come out hard,” Hix said. “Especially for our first home-opener, we were excited. We wanted to keep the momentum up.”

    It was all quiet on the western front for Jacks’ goalkeeper Katelin Talbert. The effectiveness of their offense ensured that the Warriors would struggle to keep the ball out of their zone.

    With the second half winding down, the final goal came from Jacks’ midfielder Rose Harman. The Jacks now held a 4-0 lead over the Warriors. Harman pointed out that an important strategy of the game was to capitalize on the momentum.

    “We had more of an attacking mentality especially coming into the second half,” Harman said. “We knew we needed more goals and wanted more goals. So playing positive instead of negatively and just finding the pockets to play the ball was definitely our strategy.”

    • Jessup forward #44 Abigail House takes on HSU midfielder #16 Sabine Postma. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • HSU midfielder Rose Harmon looks for her next move as she takes the ball up the field. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • HSU midfielder Pikake Hix sends a cross into the penalty box with a Jessup defender in front of her. | Photo by Liam Warner

    After the game, head coach Paul Karver spoke with his players about their performance against William Jessup. He was satisfied with overcoming a scoring deficit that the team has experienced in their last games, but most importantly he enjoyed letting all his players get play time. However, Karver didn’t ignore the fact that too many opportunities for goals were overlooked.

    “When you have as much goal creating production as we have I think we need to do a better job at finishing the opportunities,” Karver said. “We spent the last year and a half really reworking the system to create these opportunities for the players, and it’s something that’s difficult.”

    Women’s soccer will play their next game at College Creek Field against San Francisco State University. This recent win has created momentum for the team to capitalize on, and for players like Rose Harman, they look forward to competing against SFSU.

    • HSU forward Erin Siegel #2 gets a shot off as she is draped by Jessup defenders. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • #14 Selena Osorio leads the attack for the Jacks in the second half. | Photo by Liam Warner
    • #16 Sabine Postma and #22 Pikake Hix celebrate after the Jacks scored to go up 4-0 and seal the win. | Photo by Liam Warner

    “We need to keep the attacking mentality like I said in this game during the second half,” Harman said. “They’re a good team and it’s gonna be a challenge, but we’re up for it.”

  • Women’s Rugby Preps for Upcoming Season

    Women’s Rugby Preps for Upcoming Season

    HSU Women’s Rugby trains for a new division placement and tougher opponents

    An evening of practice with the Humboldt State Women’s Rugby team consisted of preparation for their first home game of the season on November 23 against Sacramento State. The team has recently moved to Division II which means this season they will be competing against 10 schools as opposed to five.

    HSU athletics is no stranger when it comes to long distances of travel. Rugby athlete Libby True spoke on the recent division transition.

    “I began playing during my freshman year,” True said. “We started off playing against 10 games then to six games and now back to 10.”

    Having additional opponents gives the team an opportunity to capitalize on more wins and get an early lead in their division. They are making modifications to their practice routines to prepare for the extensive weeks of play against opponents they have never faced.

    “We’ve never played against them, so we aren’t sure what we’re up against,” player Hanna Hartman said. “But with the way we’ve been practicing it shouldn’t be a problem.”

    Despite the unknown challenge that awaits, there is no denying that the team will utilize techniques that keep their players operational. Whether it’s taking hits or falling, Hannah explained that playing efficiently is key to avoiding unwanted injuries.

    Junior Zelaya Ceja throws the ball to a teammate during a touch game in practice for the women’s rughby team on September 5. | Photo by Thomas Lal

    “We learned how to hit and fall properly,” Hartman said. “There’s a right way to do it safely.”

    Rugby is physically demanding with frequent body collision and the occasional injuries, therefore players are encouraged to work on their endurance to take hits routinely.

    Claire Branson has played rugby for three years at HSU and provided her input on avoiding injuries.

    “Keep your core muscles strong, when you get tackled it’s a lot of core strength,” Branson said. “Make sure it’s tight, so you’re not pulling muscles.”

    During practice, players utilize precautions to ensure safety. When playing an impact sport like rugby, building endurance is essential.

    Safety Officer and player Janay Aoga has high expectations with endurance training, since it lands on days that players invest their time working out.

    “On our conditioning days we focus on staying strong and fast because fit rugby is fun rugby,” Aoga said.

    A sport can’t be fun if there’s no one around to play, but it’s a different tone when it comes to the HSU women’s rugby team. Their love for the sport shines through their resilience and determination.

  • 2nd Annual HSU Downtown Block Party

    2nd Annual HSU Downtown Block Party

    Free tacos, a climbing wall and a zip line took over Arcata

    The Arcata Plaza was a site of fun and live entertainment over the weekend. On Sept. 6, the 2nd annual HSU Downtown Block Party shut down the streets surrounding the Arcata Plaza.

    Music from Chulita Vinyl Club, Mesizto Beat and HSU’s notoriously loud Marching Lumberjacks provided live entertainment and kept the crowd on their feet. The block party was also home to other activities including a 200-foot zip-line and a rock-climbing wall.

    HSU students, including seniors Mark Bernan and Adrian Haro, were recipients of an e-mail attachment containing entry credentials to the block party and vouchers for free food. After conquering the zip-line I spoke with Bernan, who is a music major. His main concern was his appetite and not the adrenaline.

    Mesizto Beat getting down on the home stage at the 2nd Annual HSU Downtown Block Party. | Photo by Alberto Muro

    “I’m looking forward to the tacos, I’m not going to lie,” Bernan said.

    For some, zip-lining is on their bucket list. Bernan was already acquainted with going airborne.

    “I tried zip-lining in Costa Rica before, but this was fun too,” Bernan said.

    With a massive line that stretched from 9th Street towards the center plaza, Bernan and Haro were happy they arrived early.

    HSU students and alumni were not the only ones enjoying themselves at the block party. HSU seniors and Native American Studies majors Gabby Encias and Christian Solorio brought their roommate Corey Jankowski along for the experience.

    HSU Marching Lumberjacks keeping the crowd energized at the Arcata Block Party on Sept. 6. | Photo by Alberto Muro

    Encias and Solorio have lived in the area since they began their studies and were delighted to see the large crowd in attendance.

    “It’s nice to see everyone turn out for the event,” Enicas said.

    Mass emails were not the only source of invitation distribution. HSU senior Solorio was informed by other means.

    “I heard about this event through social media,” Solorio said.

    Jankowski heard about the event through Encias and Solorio, but one main contribution to his attendance was the good weather.

    HSU booths were present to distribute information about campus services. HSU students Alejandro Ochoa, Makito Takahashi and Alex Bravo represented the Multicultural Center and wasted no time welcoming people to their table.

    From right to left: HSU Multicultural Center representatives Alejandro Ochoa, Makito Takahashi and Alex Bravo. | Photo by Alberto Muro

    “There’s nice weather out right now and it’s going to start raining in a month so get out there while you still can,”Jankowski said.

    The weather is currently a toss-up between overcast and sunshine, and thankfully the block party experienced pleasant conditions.

    The Multicultural Center is notable for establishing services such as Scholars Without Borders, a women’s resource center and a kitchen to cook your food. HSU Senior and Biology major Ochoa talked about a new service for students.

    “This year we will be introducing a non-binary closet which is open to anyone,” Ochoa said.

    The new service offered by the Multicultural Center shows that the objective of campus resources is to improve student lives.

    The 2nd Annual Humboldt State Downtown Block Party has come and gone, but don’t fret because the Arcata Plaza is home to a variety of entertainment.