Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com- Action from Saturday night’s game.
By Ray Hamill — The Eureka girls soccer team came into this season with high expectations and lofty ambitions, and they did not disappoint.
On Saturday night, they clinched a second straight North Coast Section Division-I championship to go with the Big 4 pennant they won almost a month ago, capping an undefeated season they won’t easily forget.
They had to battle for this one, edging out a fired-up Arcata Tigers team 1-0 in a game that was intense from the opening kickoff and one that lived up to the billing as one of the most competitive and entertaining rivalries in local high school sports.
“Arcata brings a lot of fire, and we met fire with fire, and we were fortunate enough to come away with the victory,” Eureka head coach Tommy Learmouth said.
The section crown is the third in four postseasons for the Eureka girls, who have built a dominating program in recent years and are showing no signs of slowing down with some outstanding young talent and a strong team culture now firmly established under the guidance of Learmouth.
“It means a lot. It feels good. This was one of our goals,” he said. “The girls are definitely pumped, They were excited to be back.”
The loss was obviously a disappointing one for the Tigers, who have fallen shy in four straight section deciders, but the Arcata girls pushed their rivals all the way and gave everything they had.
“How does one pick a standout from such a gritty performance,” said Arcata head coach Patrick Stranahan, who added “I could not have asked for more from a group of athletes.”
The only goal of the game came midway through the first half when sophomore Lorena Hernandes slipped past a defender out wide and sent in a beautiful cross that senior striker Saedra Joseph headed home from close range.
Submitted photo – The Eureka girls celebrate their championship on Saturday night.
Check out Saedra Joseph’s game-winning goal above …
That slender advantage was all Eureka would need, and the stingiest defense on the North Coast held firm the rest of the way.
There were several standouts for the Loggers in the win, as there have been all season long.
Maia Hales was a rock once again in defense, alongside the equally sure-footed Paige Rodgers, who continues to excel, while in midfield Angelina Connant capped a big postseason with another big performance.
“Angelina Connant had her best game of the season,” Learmouth said. “She’s just been on fire the whole postseason.”
Lila Ekholdt also was outstanding in midfield once again after the reigning league MVP adjusted to a more defensive role this season and adapted seamlessly.
“Our whole team was outstanding tonight,” Learmouth said.
Including junior playmaker Ella Tollefson, who looks like the most creative player in the H-DNL right now.
“She was creative moving the ball around and finding teammates with cheeky little passes and cheeky little chips over the defense,” Learmouth said.
Joseph closed out her impressive high school career with an NCS-winning goal, while at the far end of the field, the sure-handed Claire Maples posted yet another clean sheet between the posts.
“She was outstanding tonight in goal and had some big saves when we needed it,” the head coach said.
The Tigers too had several standout performers and came out fired-up for the occasion, matching the home team’s early intensity and clearly not intimidated by their record.
The industrious Kayla Berman battled for every ball, while teammates Zoe Macknicki, Alia Prentiss and Gracie Townsend all caused the Loggers problems.
Defensively, the Tigers did a good job containing the dynamic Loggers attack with a performance that was much improved from their early-season battles with Eureka.
“To hold Eureka to a single goal was a victory in itself,” Stranahan said. “That goal had a bit of luck shimmer as it is.”
The Arcata coach also congratulated the champs.
“Full recognition to Tommy and his side,” he said. “Well-played, hard-fought match. It is rewarding to see a former student and now coach find success.”
