File photo – Arcata goalie Skaidra Pulley

The Eureka Loggers kept the pressure on league leaders Fortuna heading into the final three games of league play with a 5-2 win over Del Norte in Eureka on Saturday.

Klayre Barres scored a hat trick and had an assist, while Kellina Pratton and Keylei Carroll each also scored.

The Loggers improved to 7-1-1 in league play with the win and have a huge matchup looming next weekend against the Huskies, who are unbeaten in league play at 8-0-1.

Brinn Hales added two assists in the win, while Aquene Tollefson had one.

Overall, it wasn’t the Loggers’ best performance of the season.

“For it being homecoming, I was happy with how we played,” head coach Tommy Learmouth said. “You could tell the girls were tired from the homecoming festivities and it reflected in the way we played.

“There were a lot of bright spots. A lot of girls played, and a lot of girls played really well.”

Arcata 2, McKinleyville 0

Zakiya Elloway scored both goals for the Tigers, who remain in the hunt for a league title with three games to go, including a huge showdown at Fortuna on Wednesday night.

Against their biggest rivals on Saturday, however, the Tigers had to battle for this one.

At the back, Zoe Leonard continued to anchor an impressive Tigers defense, which has only allowed eight goals in nine league games.

Leonard had 10 solo stops.

“She was instrumental along with her central partner Sophia Salinas,” Arcata head coach Patrick Stranahan said. 

Fullback Tildy Macdonald also impressed in the win, particularly in the air, while both goalkeepers had outstanding games.

Arcata senior Skaidra Pulley had eight saves to preserve the shutout, three of which were top shelf, according to her coach.

Mack freshman Taya Gomes also had a huge game to keep her team in contention, and she has quickly established herself as one of the top shot stoppers in the league.

FRIDAY

St. Bernard’s 2, South Fork 0

Despite dominating possession early, the Crusaders were unable to get the breakthrough goal until 10 minutes into the second half when Shelby Jordan scored on a penalty kick after being taken down in the box.

Rachel Rodrigues got the second goal after switching from goalkeeper to forward, running on to a wonderful Mackenzie Finck through ball and firing home from 18 yards out.

Finck was instrumental in the win, controlling midfield along with fellow senior Marayah Tomlinson, while Rodrigues had a big impact up front along with Jordan.

Sophomores Emma Wilson and Ema Brenes each also continued to impress for the Crusaders, as did freshman Adriana Granados, who continues to get better, according to head coach Phil Rouse.

Lyndsee Brewer also had a huge game between the posts for the Cubs, keeping her team in contention for much of the game.

Brewer had 10 saves, behind a solid defensive effort from her teammates, particularly sweeper Macy Yarbrough, who also impressed up front in the second half.

“We couldn’t get any rhythm going offensively and wasted the few chances we had,” South Fork head coach Ann Constantino said.