File photo – The Fortuna Huskies can clinch the Big 4 championship with a win over Eureka on Saturday.

The Fortuna Huskies maintained their lead at the top of the Big 4 standings in girls soccer after a pair of ties in conference action this week.

On Tuesday, the Huskies battled the McKinleyville Panthers in an entertaining back-and-forth showdown that ended up 3-3.

On Wednesday, Eureka and Arcata renewed their rivalry and also tied 1-1.

With two games remaining for each team, Fortuna sits atop the standings with 11 points, with Eureka just two points back and the only other team that can beat them to the conference championship.

The Huskies can claim the title outright with a win over the Loggers on Saturday. A tie would secure at least a co-championship.

The Huskies have won both previous conference matchups against Eureka this fall, each by the narrowest of margins.

Gabby Watson scored a hat trick for the Panthers in Tuesday’s game, which was tied 2-2 at halftime.

Isabel Sanchez, Jamilet Ortega-Miranda and Amy Aubuchon each scored for the Huskies, who improved to 5-1-1 in the Big 4.

“It was competitive,” McKinleyville head coach Brady Burtchett said of the game. “It was a pretty good battle.”

The impressive MaryAnn Som, who has established herself as one of McKinleyville’s key players this season, assisted on one of Watson’s goals, with Syriah George assisting on another.

Som was particularly impressive defending Fortuna’s chief threats in midfield and the turned in another strong performance for her team.

File photo

Likewise with stopper Bailee Box, who also has established herself as a key presence in the heart of the Mack defense with consistent performances all season.

The Panthers led late in the game, but the Huskies would ensure a tie after netting an equalizer about 15 minutes from time.

The McKinleyville girls almost sneaked the win when they hit the crossbar in the dying seconds.

The Eureka girls, meanwhile, remain in the chase for a conference championship after tying rivals Arcata on Wednesday.

The Tigers enjoyed the better of exchanges for much of the afternoon after Zalayshia Velazquez gave them an early lead.

The Tigers “controlled the ball most of the game,” according to head coach Mathew Ingram.

The Loggers, however, would battle back to share the points with a late equalizer.

“We let one slip through in the end,” Ingram said.

In addition to the Huskies and Loggers showdown in Fortuna on Saturday, McKinleyville will play at Arcata.