Submitted photo

The Eureka Loggers bowed out of the North Coast Section Division-1 boys soccer playoffs on Saturday after falling to the top seeds in the bracket.

Just three days after knocking off the No. 9 seeded The Bay School in San Francisco 2-0 in their playoff opener, the Loggers traveled back down to The Bay Area to play Head-Royce in Oakland and fell 8-0.

The Jayhawks, who had an opening-round bye earlier in the week, started strong and ended the game as a contest long before halftime, taking a seven-goal lead into the break.

“Simply put, they’re the No. 1 seed in the section for a reason,” Eureka head coach Tommy Learmouth said. “They were definitely the best team we’ve played against all year.”

While he was obviously disappointed with the result, the first-year Eureka boys coach was more than happy with his team’s collective effort.

“I thought that we played well in the second half,” he said. “It’s a tough ask for the No. 9 seed going against the No. 1 seeds and unfortunately today it didn’t go our way.”

Several Eureka players ended their seasons with solid performances despite the loss, including senior goalkeeper Will Mooney, who’s saved a penalty kick early in the game to give his teammates a boost.

“The boys continued to work and grind and fight for it,” Learmouth said of the season. “They wanted to get better and I think we played some of our best soccer at the end of the year.

“I’m proud of this team and the sportsmanship they showed to their opponents and the respect that they showed to the game and to the fans, and I think we’re on a very positive track moving forward.”

Learmouth in particular paid tribute to his senior players.

“I’m very proud to be a part of these kids’ experience,” he said of the seniors. “They brought it. They worked hard and they motivated the team. They were leaders for us and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”