Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — New season, same old rivalry.

Last year, the St. Bernard’s Crusaders and Ferndale Wildcats battled it out for the Little 4 championship in girls soccer all the way to the final day of the regular season, with the Crusaders edging the race for the conference title.

The two schools would face off again in the North Coast Section final, with the Wildcats barely winning another close game between the two schools.

Fast forward to this season and the two teams picked up just where they left off a year ago, opening league play with a 0-0 tie at Crusader Field on Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s always a battle against St. Bernard’s,” Ferndale head coach Bailey Davy said.

It was an evenly-matched game with both defenses rising to the occasion and holding their opponents’ attack in check for much of the afternoon.

“It was a great game,” Davy added. “I thought both teams played really well. Of course, we’d like to have got the W, but overall it was a great game.”

The tie keeps a very new-look Ferndale team unbeaten on the young season, as they are now 2-0-1.

The Wildcats, who have just five returning players from their NCS championship team, came into the game after back-to-back wins over Clear Lake to open the season.

However, they were unable to break the deadlock against a disciplined St. Bernard’s defense that was anchored by Sahara Tupua and Alyssa Boham.

The Ferndale back line was every bit as effective and continually frustrated the SB attack with their offside trap, something assistant coach Brendan McDonald has been working diligently on with his players.

And with several new players on this year’s team, the Cats are showing progress.

“It was a big improvement from our last game,” Davy said. “Just controlling the ball in midfield and getting it up to our forwards.”

Ferndale captains Tinnley Pidgeon and Michaela Ellsmore led the way and helped to set the tone for their teammates. 

“Tinnley did a great job leading on the field and she had a good game,” Davy said of her starting goalkeeper. “Our captains have really stepped up their leadership on the field and I really appreciate their leadership.”

The Ferndale coach also paid tribute to Boham and the SB defense.

“Alyssa Boham had a fantastic game for St. Bernard’s,” she said. “She’s quick and I thought she played really well.”

Humboldt Sports reached out to the St. Bernard’s coaches but there was no immediate response.

Coaches are encouraged to call in details of their teams if they want coverage for their players.