File photo – The Warriors are 2-0 in the H-DNL.

The Warriors are playing like the champions they are.

On Tuesday evening, the Del Norte boys scored the winning goal two minutes from time in a pivotal 1-0 win over the Fortuna Huskies in boys soccer in Crescent City.

The win lifts Del Norte to 2-0 in the H-DNL, while the Huskies dropped to 2-1.

Both teams are considered the two frontrunners for this year’s league title.

“It was a very, very tight game,” Del Norte head coach David Sanyaolu said. “It was back and forth, back and forth.”

After missing all of last season through injury, Del Norte senior Mario Ledezma appears to be relishing his final year of high school soccer.

Ledezma scored the game’s decisive goal off of an assist from right winger Brandt Pennington.

And that was all a stingy Del Norte defense would need.

“We controlled the midfield and our defense was solid as usual,” Sanyaolu said. “But props to Fortuna. They’re a top side and they had their chances too. We didn’t expect anything less.”

Senior Greyson Franklin anchored the Del Norte back line, alongside the impressive David Aguilar, Edwin Alanis and Lyon Rigden, on a unit that continues to frustrate the rest of the league and one that paved the way for the championship 12 months ago.

“Greyson Franklin was amazing at the back,” Sanyaolu said. “All my boys were amazing.”

Senior Allan Galindo-Samano got the clean sheet in goal and made several key stops, including a brilliant second-half save to keep the shutout in tact.

“The game could have got either way. It was just a very tight, equally contested game,” the Del Norte coach added. “Everybody dug deep. It was just a fantastic victory for us.”

The Huskies had their opportunities.

“We had chances but couldn’t finish,” Fortuna head coach Daniel Holmes said. “It’s hard to play up there.

“Del Norte is talented all over the pitch. They really don’t have a weak spot. Both teams played well.”

The loss was the first in league play for the Huskies, who defeated St. Bernard’s 11-0 on Monday.

The Warriors will play a third straight home game to start league play when they host McKinleyville on Saturday afternoon.