Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — Ethan Gyenis scored for the second straight game to lead the Arcata Tigers to a 1-0 win over the Eureka Loggers in H-DNL boys soccer on Wednesday.

The one goal was all Arcata would need, as the team defense held tight against the Loggers, who have had some problems breaking down opposing defenses early in the season.

The win was the second straight for the Tigers, who improved to 2-1, while the Loggers dropped to 1-2.

Matias Severn, Rven Schlicting and team captain Dillon Rouse each were instrumental in holding a dangerous Eureka attack at bay, as was Arcata goalie Sean Shermer.

“Their keeper had a great game,” Eureka head coach Eddie Garcia said of the sophomore standout. “He definitely got them the win.”

Freshman Tomas Paoli had a big game for the Loggers.

Next up, Eureka plays at Fortuna on Saturday and Arcata plays McKinleyville next Wednesday.

Fortuna 2, McKinleyville 0

The Huskies remained unbeaten and improved to 3-0 with a two-goal win over an improving McKinleyville team.

Sergio Marquez netted in each half for the home team, which secured the shutout with a big game from its defense.

“I thought our back line played a pretty good game today,” Fortuna head coach Daniel Holmes said. “They held their own.”

Central defenders Angel Ornales and Oscar Avendano each were instrumental in the win, while the central midfield partnership of Antonio Garcinuno and Edgar Herrera grew into the game.

For McKinleyville, Lalo Benavides-Garb had an outstanding game in midfield, constantly feeding the attack, alongside impressive teammate Narayan Weibel.

“McKinleyville played well,” Holmes said. “I thought Lalo in the middle was definitely a force to reckon with.”

“I thought it was a good game,” said McKinleyville head coach Ryne Deppe, whose team turned in its best performance of the early season despite the loss. “We got some things clicking.

“Our back line had a tremendous game.”

Girls

Fortuna 4, McKinleyville 0

The Fortuna Huskies are playing like the defending league champions they are, running out to a third straight victory on Wednesday evening.

Nayah Cacren and Sarah Killfoil dominated in midfield for the Huskies, paving the way for the win.

“I thought we did a great job as a team,” said first-year head coach Jennifer Femenella, whose side is 3-0 on the season. “We were pretty strong in the center. Nyah did a great job, and there was a lot of communicating with Sarah.”

Cacren scored two nice goals in the win, the first coming just minutes in on a long range shot and the second on a free kick.

“Nyah probably played the best game she’s ever played for us,” Femenella said. “That first goal started us off and got the momentum going.”

Kallia Yang also had a big game and continued to cause problems for opposing defenses, netting twice in the win.

Killfoil had one assist and freshman Allison Cox assisted on the final goal.

At the back, junior Malia Bolden anchored a strong performance by the Fortuna defense, which posted its second straight shutout.

The McKinleyville girls, to their credit, battled hard to the end, as they have been doing in games this season.

“The team worked really hard,” head coach Adam Canepa said. “They still kept their heads up till the very end, and we had some good momentum here and there.

“Fortuna did an excellent job just controlling the tempo of the game.”

The loss was the first of the season for the 2-1 Panthers.

Next up, Fortuna hosts Eureka in a battle of unbeaten teams on Saturday, while McKinleyville travels to St. Bernard’s next Wednesday.

Submitted photo – South Fork’s Marion Del Rio (6) in action against St. Bernard’s on Wednesday.

South Fork 3, St. Bernard’s 2

The Cubs and Crusaders battled back and forth in an entertaining game, with the South Fork girls scoring late to sneak the win.

Summer Contreras scored all three of South Fork’s goals, the winner coming late off a nice through ball form Marian Del Rio.

The win was a rare one for the Cubs over their Little 4 rivals.

“It was a great team effort,” South Fork head coach Ann Constantino said. “The kind of synergy you don’t see every day.”

Alondra Almador opened the scoring for St. Bernard’s, capitalizing on a period of domination by the Crusaders with a nice finish midway through the first half, off an assist from Emma Wilson.

The Cubs, however, began to settle into the game and battled back to tie things on Contreras’ first goal off a corner kick.

South Fork took the lead in the second half after a nice series of passes, culminating with Caidence Young crossing to Contreras, who slotted home for her second goal.

St. Bernard’s Jessica Rutter then made it 2-2, before the Cubs scored late to seal their first win of the season.

“We passed really well in the first half, but I think we let their goals get in our heads in the second half,” St. Bernard’s coach Phil Rouse said. 

Ema Brenes returned to the Crusaders lineup after missing last week’s opener and made her presence felt at sweeper.

“Having her back made a big difference,” Rouse said. 

Freshman Olivia Eads also played a key role in defense for the Crusaders, continuing her impressive start to her high school career at left back.

“She just played outstanding,” Rouse said. “She’s a real core part of our defense right now.”

Eads is one of an outstanding group of freshmen on the Crusaders’ roster this season, a group that also includes Bella Maki, who also had a big game at outside midfield and up front.

“I have a few freshmen playing almost like juniors,” Rouse said.

Sarah McBreyer also had a good game in the St. Bernard’s defense, as did teammate Maddy Shanahan in midfield.

Del Rio had a big game for the Cubs, and the team’s only four-year player continues to make her presence felt in a young lineup.

With the win, the Cubs improved to 1-2, while the Crusaders are now 0-2.

Next up, the Cubs host Ferndale on Friday, while the Crusaders host Arcata on Saturday.