Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Wednesday’s game in Eureka.

By Ray Hamill — Both defenses turned in strong performances for a pair of shorthanded teams on Wednesday, as the Eureka Loggers edged McKinleyville 1-0 in a Big 4 girls soccer game at Washington Field.

Lorena Hernandez netted the decisive score early in the game and that would prove to be enough for the home team, which held on for the win thanks to some sound defense on a unit anchored by sophomore Olivianna Millender.

“She put the wheels on when we needed her to and she set up opportunities for our wings,” said Eureka head coach Melania Valdez, whose team improved to 2-0 in conference play and took over sole possession of top spot in the standings.

The McKinleyville defense was equally effective, with freshman Amara Som particularly impressive.

“She was outstanding at the back,” McKinleyville head coach Brady Burtchett said of the first-year varsity player. “She was challenging really well.”

Alongside her, Bailee Box also had a big afternoon for the Mack defense.

Anchored by the impressive play of midfielders Angelina Conant of Eureka and Gabby Watson of McKinleyville, both teams enjoyed plenty of possession but neither was unable to create many clearcut chances in front of goal.

“We only gave up one easy chance,” Burtchett said. “I thought we outplayed them in the first half, and I thought they outplayed us in the second half. It was just that one hiccup.”

Burtchett described Conant and Hernandez as probably the best two players in league this year, and both were instrumental for the Loggers.

“Angelina did a great job today,” Valdez said. “She covered a lot of ground. I’m really proud of her for stepping up in the way that she did.”

Both teams were also shorthanded with injuries taking their toll for each early in the season.

The Loggers currently have four of their 17 players sidelined, while the Panthers were without the services of three of their 16 players, leaving both schools with limited options on the bench.

“I think for the lack of subs we had, the girls did well,” the Eureka coach added. “We had ups and downs during the game, but I am proud of them for pushing through.

“I think (what impressed me) today was our ability to push through mentally and physically.”

The Panthers have been in every game they’ve played this year, but were held scoreless for the third game in eight days.

“We’ve been competitive in each game, we just can’t get over that hump right now,” the coach said off his team’s lack of scoring.

The McKinleyville girls will be hoping to end that scoring drought when they host St. Bernard’s on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

The Loggers, meanwhile, have won all three of their games this season and will be looking to go to 4-0 overall when they play at Ferndale, also on Saturday.