The race for this year’s championship in Big 4 girls soccer is shaping up to be an exciting one, with little to separate the four schools.

On Tuesday, Fortuna and Eureka tied 0-0 to remain deadlocked atop the conference standings, while Arcata edged McKinleyville 2-1 to keep pressure on the frontrunners.

“It was a back-and-forth, 50-50 battle,” Fortuna head coach Arnulfo Aguirre said. “I thought we played really solid defense. Our defense didn’t allow the Eureka attack to do much.”

Goalkeeper Bryce Sanderson posted the clean sheet, and she got plenty of help from a defensive unit that included Tayla Fontaine, Olivia Hayes, Addy Lucas, Lilly Calderon and Elizabeth Trumbo.

At Arcata, meanwhile, the Tigers got their first conference win in a hard-fought battle with their neighbors and biggest rivals.

Both teams scored late in the opening half.

The ever-dangerous Grace Pimentel opened the scoring for the visitors on another well-placed long-range shot, something we’re becoming accustomed to seeing from the outstanding Mack senior.

But the Tigers would respond almost immediately on a shot by Ada Kinziger that was deflected into the back of the net just seconds before the break.

The Arcata girls would add to their tally midway through the second half, when Josey Kimber-Roach capped a good day individually with a rocket of a shot that proved to be the difference in a tight game.

“It was a good game. It was close,” McKinleyville head coach Adam Canepa said. “Overall we played well. We had more energy in the first half, and Arcata came out in the second half with a little more spark.”

According to the Arcata coaches, the players “played with grit and determination across all positions.”

Freshman Hazel Ray had a good day in defense, helping to keep the Mack attack in check for much of the afternoon, while Amabel Miranda also impressed in defensive midfield and held “the group steady under pressure.”

Between the posts, Melody Arguelles Diaz delivered “a fantastic performance” and showcased a bright future in her first-ever game in goal.

The Arcata coaches also praised the “sportsmanship shown by McKinleyville throughout the match.”

The Panthers, meanwhile, continue to play short-handed with recent sickness and injuries taking their toll on a small roster, and they played the game with just two subs available.

Despite the loss, there were several bright spots for a team that remains well in contention for a possible conference title with two-thirds of the campaign still remaining.

Impressive sophomore Amara Som is enjoying a good season in the heart of the McKinleyvile defense, while Grace Pimentel continues to play a pivotal role in midfield, alongside with her younger sister Abi Pimentel, who also has been impressing this fall.

Junior Emily Mathers also has been a force for the McKinleyville girls while switching between midfield and attack.

“When the two sisters and Emily are playing well together, it’s fun to watch,” Canepa said.

A young Panthers back line that includes all freshmen and sophomores also has been impressing and did a good job against a more experienced group of Arcata forwards.

One of the stories of the season so far for the Panthers has been the play of senior Taylor Wade between the posts.

Wade is playing goalkeeper for the first time in her high school career and has had an immediate positive impact.

“I thought she played great,” Canepa said of the standout shot-stopper. “She’s a senior who stepped in and hasn’t played (the position) in years, and I’m so glad she decided to play soccer this year.”

Canepa, who returned full-time as coach of the team this fall after a couple of seasons away, is enjoying his time with this group of players.

“I like their personalities,” he said. “I think they’re good people. They’re very respectful to other players on the field.

“They’re just genuinely nice people, so they’re a pleasure to be around. I’m really happy to be coaching this group, and they want to win together.”