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

The Del Norte Warriors took a big step towards a Little 4 title in soccer with their fourth win in five conference games on Wednesday afternoon.

A 2-0 victory over Ferndale in Crescent City keeps the hottest team in the Little 4 unbeaten more than halfway though their conference schedule, and it moves them four points clear at the top of the standings.

Elsewhere in the L4 on Wednesday, the St. Bernard’s Crusaders got their first conference win, beating South Fork 2-0 in Eureka.

The Warriors scored once in each half against a Ferndale team that remains shorthanded and had just 10 players on hand due to a plethora of early-season injuries.

Alexis Aguirre and Lilly Frankin each netted in the win, as the Warriors took a one-goal lead into halftime and doubled their advantage after the break.

According to Del Norte head coach Shawn Eckart, Ferndale goalkeeper Tinnley Pidgeon kept her team in contention with another outstanding performance between the posts in the face of a lot of Del Norte pressure.

“Ferndale’s a good team,” Eckart said. “They were down one player and they brought it.

“Their goalie stopped a bunch of shots on goal and really kept the score low.”

The Warriors did enough to get the win thanks to goals from the always dangerous Aguirre and Franklin, the latter of whom has lifted the level of her play in recent games.

“She was running like the wind today,” Eckart said of Franklin. “She was on fire, and she was settling on the ball really well.”

Elizabeth Lopez also caused the Wildcats plenty of problems on the right wing and turned in one of her best performances of the season.

“She kept that side moving,” the head coach said of Lopez, who played the entire game. “And every time she had the ball she was putting it in the right places.”

Aurora Mitchell also impressed for the home team and almost found the back of the net on a “beautiful” free kick, according to her coach, an aspect of her game that is improving just about every game.

Mitchell and Kalynn Schaad, who play as holding midfielders, have built an effective partnership and are playing a key role in their team’s surge towards the conference championship.

“They really are making the middle their own and working well together,” said Eckart, who added “It was probably one of our best games passing and playing together. The whole team played well together.”

The St. Bernard’s girls, meanwhile, got their first conference win of the season and avenged an early defeat to the Cubs in Miranda.

Amber Smith opened the scoring for the home team on a corner kick, and Eliana Sellars added a second goal on a penalty kick.

“We’re finally looking like a team,” said SB head coach Jeff Sellars, whose roster battled numerous injuries early in the season. “The players are getting some familiarity with each other and it really showed the whole game.”

Sahara Tupua once again helped anchor the SB defense with another composed performance at the back, alongside the impressive Addisyn Burris, and the duo “both worked well together,” the coach said.

St. Bernard’s goalkeeper Sarah Luna also made some big saves on her way to the clean sheet.

Amber Smith and Alyssa Boham helped set the tone win midfield, as the Crusaders linked some nice passes together and looked in control for much of the game.

And up front, Eliana Sellars continues to show why she’s such an important part of the team in leading the attack.

“Her footwork was very impressive,” the head coach said. “She was really threatening every time she had the ball.”

The loss was just the second in conference for the Cubs who remain second in the L4 standings.

“We were not at our best,” South Fork head coach Ann Constantino admitted. “And they (St. Bernard’s) really wanted it.”

Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for the visitors and some big performances, most notably junior midfielder Molly Perkins, who continues to impress.

“She was full of energy. She had a great game,” the longtime coach said. 

Freshman Calleigh Smith also impressed for South Fork in midfield, as did junior Flora Cruise, who has established herself as one of her team’s most consistent defenders.

“She’s fantastic,” Constantino said of Cruise. “And she has a great attitude and she’s a hard worker.”

Goalkeeper Aurora Galaz also impressed for the visitors and continues to provide a reliable last line of defense and some much-needed vocal leadership.

“She’s really coming into her own now and is becoming a real solid goalkeeper and a team leader,” Constantino said of the shot stopper. “And I’m very appreciative of her.”

Next up, on Saturday, South Fork plays at Ferndale and Del Norte plays at St. Bernard’s.