Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Wednesday’s game at McKinleyville High.

By Ray Hamill — Two goals from impressive freshman Jozalyn Dahl, including one just a few minutes from time, lifted the Fortuna Huskies to a 2-1 win at McKinleyville in Big 4 girls soccer on Wednesday afternoon.

The victory was the third in four conference games for the visitors, who improved to 3-1 in the Big 4 and remain tied atop the standings with the Eureka Loggers.

In the other conference game on Wednesday, Eureka traveled to Arcata and came away with a 2-1 win over the Tigers.

The game at McKinleyville was a tight one and could have gone either way, with the two teams tied 1-1 at halftime and both enjoying plenty of possession after the break.

The visitors took the lead early in the game, but the home team would respond shortly afterwards and the two schools remained deadlocked for much of the afternoon.

Both teams turned in solid performances, but both also could have played better in what was the third meeting between them this season.

“I felt like we didn’t play up to our level like we can,” Fortuna head coach Arnulfo Aguirre said. “That’s not taking credit away from McKinleyville. We’ve played them three times and they’ve gotten better in every game.”

The McKinleyville girls arguably enjoyed the better of exchanges in the opening half, but the Huskies grew into the game and arguably shaded the second half.

“I thought we definitely outplayed them in the first half,” McKinleyville head coach Brady Burtchett said. “It was just a mental lapse that led to their goal.

“We had lots of opportunities, and we played a physical game. Our defense played good. We just can’t let that happen.”

Check out Jozalyn Dahl’s game-winning goal for Fortuna below …

The Huskies opened the scoring with the in-form Dahl’s first strike of the afternoon, as she continues to quickly adapt to the varsity level in her first year of high school soccer.

But the Panthers responded on a goal by the ever-dangerous Gabby Watson, who continues to lead the way for the Panthers.

Grace Pimentel assisted on the goal.

Both defenses turned in composed performances, and outside of the goals there were few clearcut chances for either team, although the Huskies hit the woodwork twice and came closest to adding to their tally.

“In the second half we started to string our passes together and we had some chances in the second half,” Aguirre said. “But again, finding the net (was a problem). We hit the crossbar and no one was there to get the rebound.”

Clare Machado had a good game at outside back for the Panthers. who dropped to 0-4 in conference play but have been competitive in every game with the last three of those losses all coming by the narrowest of margins.

Stopper Ahty Allen also continued to impress at the back for the Panthers, as did sweeper Bailee Box, and the two players are enjoying strong seasons playing alongside each other in the heart of the Mack defense.

“We were definitely a little slow coming out of the half,” Burtchett said. “It took us a while to get going, but it was one of those games that could have gone either way.”

The Fortuna defense grew into the game.

“In the second half (our defense) definitely stepped up,” Aguirre added. “I’ve got to give a shoutout to everybody, They understood their assignments.”

Next up, on Saturday, the Huskies will play at St. Bernard’s and the Panthers will entertain Ferndale.