THE RUNNING OF THE WOLVES: Western Oregon (2-0-0) is already off to the best start in its young program history after recording back-to-back wins over Hawaii Hilo, 2-1, and Hawaii Pacific, 3-1, to open the season. The Wolves will face another formidable challenge this week as they resume play on Thursday against Cal State Dominguez Hills (0-0-1) in Carson, Calif. The Toros are the top team receiving votes outside of the top 25 in Division II and were picked No. 3 in the CCAA preseason poll. Western Oregon will look to continue the offensive output that sees them rank at the top of the conference with five goals in just two games.

CALIFORNIA DREAMING: Seattle Pacific (1-1-0) will look to build on its 2-1 win over Sonoma State last Saturday with more solid performances against a pair of PacWest opponents this week. The Falcons are set to face Point Loma (0-2-0) on Thursday in San Diego before making their way up the coast to take on Concordia (0-1-0) in Irvine, Calif. on Saturday.

THERE’S NAVY & GOLD IN THOSE MOUNTAINS: Montana State Billings (2-0-0) is set for an early season rematch against South Dakota Mines (0-2-0) on Wednesday after defeating the Hardrockers 2-1 last Friday. The Yellowjackets will stay put in Rapid City, S.D. to face Texas A&M International (0-2-0) at O’Harra Stadium on Friday. Montana State Billings has been one of the best defensive teams in the conference early in the season, allowing just one goal to tie for first in the GNAC. Sophomore defender Kolja Thomas was a key part of the defense and the offense last week after playing all 180 minutes and recording the game-winning goal against South Dakota Mines to open the season.

INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS: Simon Fraser (2-0-0) will look to continue its winning ways in its home opener on Thursday against Chico State (2-0-0). Simon Fraser took 2-1 and 2-0 wins over Stanislaus State and Westmont, respectively, to garner votes in the United Soccer Coaches Division II poll on Sept. 5. The Red Leafs will be facing a Wildcats squad that’s hungry for more results after cracking the top 25 for the first time this season at No. 25. Simon Fraser will look to freshman forward Koji Poon to continue being a gamechanger for SFU after the Vancouver, B.C. native netted a brace in his first collegiate game last Thursday.

SAILING DOWN SOUTH: Western Washington (0-1-1) will aim to secure its first win of the young season after facing a pair of strong CCAA opponents last week. The Vikings turn their attention to two PacWest opponents for the second week of the regular season in Concordia (0-1-0) and Point Loma (0-2-0). In particular, head coach Greg Brisbon will hope to get his offense rolling on the road against a pair of teams that have struggled to keep the ball out of their own net in the first week of the regular season. Sophomore forward Albin Jonsson leads the team after one week with one goal on five shots.

NO-NONSENSE NIGHTHAWKS: Northwest Nazarene (1-0-1) is headed to Colorado this week for a pair of matches at the Colorado Mesa Men’s Soccer Showcase in Grand Junction, Colo. The Nighthawks will face host Colorado Mesa (1-1-0) on Thursday before turning their attention to Westminster (Utah) (1-1-0) on Saturday. Northwest Nazarene is one of four undefeated teams in the conference after the first week and will look to solidify its place in the national rankings after coming in at No. 22 in the United Soccer Coaches poll on Sept. 5.

SAINTS ARE BURNABY BOUND: Saint Martin’s (1-1-0) will be taking an early trip north of the border this week to play a pair of games against CCAA opponents on the mountain at Simon Fraser. The Saints will take on Sonoma State (0-1-1) on Thursday and No. 25 Chico State (2-0-0) on Saturday. Saint Martin’s was led by junior midfielder Diego Andrade and junior forward Angel Alvarado-Fajardo through the first week of the regular season with both players scoring a goal.

Raymundo Mendez - Seattle Pacific

A new transfer to the program from Columbia Basin, Mendez wasted no time putting himself on the scoresheet for the Falcons, netting his first goal of the season in just the fourth minute of SPU’s 2-1 win over Sonoma State last Saturday. Mendez was an offensive powerhouse in the NWAC last year, racking up 29 points on 10 goals and nine assists while helping lead Columbia Basin to a conference championship.

Mendez already looks settled in with the Falcons after starting both of the team’s matches last week. Along with his goal, the junior midfielder has logged three shots and is tied for the team lead with two points heading into the second week of the regular season. Mendez and the Falcons will look to keep Seattle Pacific in the win column as it heads south to face Point Loma on Thursday and Concordia (Calif.) on Saturday.

The first United Soccer Coaches Division II rankings of the season came out on Sept. 5 with Northwest Nazarene remaining in the top 25 after coming in at No. 6 in the preseason poll.  Simon Fraser also received votes in this week’s poll after going 2-0 at the Westmont Heritage Club Classic to open the season.