A composed performance by the Eureka girls saw them return to winning ways in Big 4 soccer on Wednesday afternoon.

The Loggers travelled to Arcata and came away with a 2-1 win over the host school to improve to 3-1 in conference play and keep pace with the Fortuna Huskies in the Big 4.

In the second conference game on Wednesday, the Huskies won 3-1 at McKinleyville and also are now 3-1 in the Big 4.

The Eureka girls struck first in Wednesday’s game and opened up a 2-0 first-half lead, before the host school responded with a goal after the break to keep them in the the game.

“We probably played the best possessive game we’ve played all season,” Eureka head coach Melania Valdez said. “It was phenomenal. Our first half was great. Our communication was up, we possessed, we passed, our touches were great.

“Going into the second half, we lost some of the simple things, but the girls worked hard the entire time. I have no complaints with the performance.”

Senior team leader Angelina Conant opened the scoring with what Valdez described as a “beautiful goal,” before the impressive Destyni Chase added a second strike to put the visitors up 2-0 at halftime.

Senior Susie Cooley would respond for the home team after the interval to cut the deficit in half, but the Loggers were able to hold down the stretch on for their second win over the Tigers in conference play.

“Eureka beat us to the ball in the first half,” Arcata head coach Mathew Ingram said. “The second half we came out with better focus.”

Chase was particularly effective for the Loggers, and she turned in a standout performance despite having to leave the game in the opening half with a bloody nose after taking a ball to the face.

“She rallied and she left everything she had out there,” Valdez said of the junior left winger.

But it was definitely a good team performance.

“I think especially in the first half the communication with the whole team stood out for me, because that’s something we have been working on,” Valdez added. “Our wings, with our strikers, have been working on the pass and they executed it fantastic, and that was great to see.

“I’m very happy with the girls. They played as a team.”

Next up, on Saturday, the Loggers will play a non-conference game at Del Norte, while the Tigers will play a non-conference game at home against South Fork.

For more on Fortuna’s big win, see Huskies win a close one at McKinleyville, go to 3-1 in B4 …