Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Wednesday’s game at Albee Stadium.

By Ray Hamill — The Eureka Loggers were clearly ready for their biggest game of their season so far.

On Wednesday night, they welcomed Arcata to Albee Stadium for the first of three league matchups against their rivals and they came out fired up, opening up a three-goal lead less than 12 minutes in.

That would be more than enough for the stingiest defense on the North Coast and the home team comfortably held on for a 4-0 win.

“Arcata is a team that pressures us more than most and we knew we needed to match their intensity with intensity,” Eureka head coach Tommy Learmouth said. “And we were able to capitalize on early opportunities.”

Saedra Joseph has been one of the most consistent and dangerous forwards in the H-DNL this season and that continued on Wednesday with the senior netting the opener seven minutes in.

Joseph broke free down the right wing and lofted a beautifully angled shot into the far corner of the goal.

Less than two minutes later, teammate Kira Morris added a second, and barely two minutes after that Ella Tollefson made it 3-0 from the penalty spot.

“Three goals in the first 12 minutes, you can never complain about that,” Learmouth said.

Tollefson would add a second PK late in the game to close out the scoring, as the Loggers improved to 3-0 in the Big 4 after the opening round of league play.

In three league games, the Eureka girls have scored 17 goals and allowed none.

“Arcata has probably the most dynamic attack we’ve faced this year and our defense stepped up and was able to limit their opportunities,” Learmouth said. “Maia Hales and Paige Rodgers were cool, calm and collected all night.”

Left back Sidney Masten also helped anchor the defense, while the midfield trio of Tollefson, Angelina Conant and Lila Ekholdt had another big night and set the tone.

Up front, Morris and Joseph were relentless and continued to cause the visitors problem throughout.

So too did the always dangerous Arcata trio of Kyla Berman, Zoe Macknicki and Alia Prentiss at the other end of the field, and Arcata settled into the game after the early onslaught and had opportunities to score, but were unable to get the breakthrough.

With the win, the Loggers are now two wins clear of all three of their league opponents, each of which is 1-2 after the opening round of league play.

The Fortuna Huskies got their first league win on Wednesday, beating McKinleyville 6-2.

Photos by Cherie Fry Circe – Action from the McKineyvile and Fortuna game.

Taylor Brooks and Chloe Cox each scored twice in the win, with Malia Bolden and Jocelyn Marquez each also scoring.

The game was close for much of the night, with the Huskies breaking a late 2-2 tie with four unanswered goals in the final 20 minutes.

“The team brought the energy and worked hard every minute of the game,” Fortuna head coach Samuel Licona said. “We possessed the ball well and were disciplined with our shape, which helped us get that win today.”

Brylee Barsanti and Rowan Angeli each had an assist in the win.

Leah Circe was McKinleyville’s most dangerous player for much of the game and scored just before halftime to leave the Panthers trailing 2-1 at the break.

Soffia Reyes added a second for McKinleyville early in the second half to tie things up, before the Huskies pulled away late.

“We just lost focus and weren’t able to keep our shape,” McKinleyville head coach Adam Canepa said. “We were getting beat in midfield. It’s disappointing because I think we can play with that team.”

Circe, according to Canepa, was the player of the game.

“She won almost every 50/50 battle,” the coach said. “She played 100 percent every time she was near the ball.”