Arcata

Defending champs kick off with a win on a busy day for H-DNL boys

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File photo – The Del Norte Warriors got the new H-DNL season off to a winning start on Tuesday.

It was a successful start to the new league campaign for the defending champions.

The Del Norte Warriors welcomed the Eureka Loggers to Crescent City on Tuesday afternoon and won 2-0.

Also in action on Tuesday, the Arcata Tigers scored two late goals in a 3-1 win over visiting McKinleyville and Fortuna hosted South Fork and won 8-0.

Deken Hanks, who set a new program single-season scoring record for the Warriors last year, scored both of his team’s goals in the league opening victory, one in each half.

Mario Ledezma assisted on the opening goal, with Adrian Contreras assisting on the second.

The Warriors had their hands full against a Eureka team that pushed them all the way in 2023.

“Eureka put up a good resistance against our attack and we were profligate in front of goal, especially early in the game,” Del Norte head coach David Sanyaolu said. “I thought we were in control for most of the game.”

Once again, the Del Norte defense paved the way to victory, kicking off league play with a shutout.

“We were solid at the back,” Sanyaolu added. “But we need to be clinical in front.”

Opening on the road against the defending champs and a team that returned the majority of its starters from last year was always going to be a challenge for the Loggers and arguably the most difficult game of the campaign for them.

“I thought we played well. I thought we settled into the game,” first-year Eureka boys coach Tommy Learmouth said. “I think coming to Del Norte is one of the most challenging games we’ll have. They play well at home.”

The game was played with just two officials, something Learmouth hopes won’t be a persistent concern this fall.

“I know the referees do the best they can and I appreciate them,” he said. “But as a league I think we’ve got to figure out a way (to have a full complement of three officials at each game).”

The Loggers were missing three starters through injury and had to make some changes to their lineup for the game, including moving the influential Will Mooney to goalkeeper.

“He was our team MVP tonight,” Learmouth said of Mooney, who had 15 saves. “He’s a really good goalkeeper.

Isaiah Herbst and Sergio Calderon each also played well at outside back, while Trenton Gerber and Makai Dennon were “outstanding” in midfield, according to their coach.

Freshman Lucas Ask also had a big game as the team’s holding midfielder in his first-ever H-DNL start.

At Arcata, meanwhile, Cruz Aguilar, Izaiah Grosveld and Tex Larsen each scored in the win for the Tigers, with Aguilar and Lars Gerdes each also assisting on a goal.

No other details were immediately available for Arcata.

Pedro Ramirez scored a brilliant long-range goal for the Panthers, hitting the target from outside the box.

“It was an amazing shot, just an absolute beauty,” McKinleyville head coach Ryne Deppe said.

The game was still tied until late before the home team secured the win with two goals in the final five minutes.

“We showed a lot of grit today,” Deppe added. “I was happy with our ability to stick through it and not have too many ups and downs.

“Our emotions were pretty level. I thought we played pretty solid.”

Gaelen Creighton had a strong performance to help anchor the Mack defense, while Rylee Collart also played well for the Panthers in a more defensive role than usual.

No details were immediately available for the Huskies.

Categories: Arcata, Del Norte, Eureka, Fortuna, McKinleyville, Soccer

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2 replies »

  1. As a former team oriented player for a multi-peat H-DNL Champion EHS program, a rec and comp youth coach, a ref who has done youth on up to semi-pro, and one of the original member officials to be a part of the creation of the H-DNL soccer ref organization “NCSOA” …, I offered my services last week, but on singular matches where driving occurs, I prefer to center, so that was a power-trip for the assignor, I get it. Yet, center assignment helps pay for the additional mileage which CIF already “low balls”.

    The real issues require a communication and action plan that has not occurred in likely decades, where certain areas need fixes to achieve 3-ref crews… this requires commitment,

    things like:

    1) Eliminating dual-ref system altogether. Away team gets first dibs for a “guest AR” who only calls ball in and out of play. Home team must provide a “guest AR” if Away team yields to Home team.

    As an accomplished official, I have no respect for the 2 whistle approach in the beautiful game.

    2) Refs live further out than just within city limits. This requires extra incentives to entice the ref into longer rural driving. Refs further out should be a part of B2B games. Not surprising that refs who travel for 1 game ask to be the center official. It pays more, and the extra responsibility is a decision-maker ego reality for all, no way to slice it different. Experienced, high level refs are not going to desire to be running AR in singular matches, especially with a long round trip drive, or the threat of being subjected to a dual whistle format… rubbish.

    3) CIF rules need appealing. Get soccer community lawyers to assist changing the rules on paying for ref mileage. ALL drivers need to get paid, even if 1 mile.

    4) GET BACK TO: Back 2 Back games, like over a decade ago. School team coaches need to align schedules. H-DNL needs to mandate B2B matches where both m/f programs are active.

    5) Community Drives/fundraisers to get the funds necessary for facility field lights, where needed.

    There is more, but 5 points of emphasis is a good starting point to reverse the tide.

    Cheers to the odds on hope 🍻

    Reply

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