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The defending champs got this year’s Little 4 off to a good start in girls soccer on Tuesday.

The Del Norte Warriors welcomed the South Fork Cubs to Crescent City and ran out to a 4-0 win.

All four goals came in the opening half, as the Warriors quickly took control of the game and held on after the break.

“It was a solid win,” Del Norte head coach Shawn Eckart said. “I thought (we) were passing really well in midfield, and I thought our defense was very organized. I thought we were talking and being positive and supporting each other.”

Senior captain Hollyn Wakefield set the tone for her teammates with a big game in defensive midfield and looks set to close out her high school career with a big this season.

“I think Hollyn played the best game,” Eckart said of the influential senior midfielder. “She moved the ball one-V-one and she was our anchor on the field that really made things happen. Hollyn was everywhere.”

One of the most impressive aspects of the performance was the fact that four different players scored in the win, showcasing the team’s depth in attack.

Jaden Bennett got the party started with a nice effort from the edge of the penalty area, before Lillie Franklin doubled the advantage later in the opening half.

Bennett then turned provider for Aurora Mitchell for the third goal, a strike that was set up on a delightful dummy by Franklin, who showed a lot of game maturity and experience on the play.

Bennett capped a big all-around game with a second assist to close out the scoring later in the half, working a one-two with teammate Bella White, who found the back of the net.

At the back, junior team captain Avery Ritter recorded the clean sheet in goal with another strong performance.

Ritter, who has been one of her team’s most impressive players early in the season, made multiple saves, including an inspirational stop on a one-V-one breakaway attack.

“She got low and made sure it didn’t go in,” Eckart said.

Despite the loss, the Cubs grew into the game, overcoming a slow start after the long trip north.

“We had a tough first half and never really got anything going,” South Fork head coach Beth Anderson said. “We played much better in the second half.”

Anderson and her players made some adjustments at halftime and it showed as the team began to create more opportunities and caused some problems for the Del Norte defense and Ritter.

Aubrey Young and Molly Perkins continued to impress in the heart of defense for the visitors, while Kamea Hawkins and Kara Worswick impressed with their passing in midfield.

Goal keeper Aurora Galaz also had a good game in goal facing a dangerous Del Norte attack.