The Arcata Tigers took over sole possession of top spot in the H-DNL boys standings despite a lackluster performance on Tuesday.
The Arcata boys traveled to Del Norte and tied 0-0.
And that result, coupled with Eureka’s first league loss, lifts the Tigers into top spot in the early standings with a record of 3-0-1.
The Loggers (3-1) fell into a tie with Fortuna (3-1) for second in the standings after the Huskies beat them 4-2.
In girls action on Tuesday, Eureka beat Fortuna 2-1 and Del Norte defeated Arcata 3-0.
Four different players scored for the Fortuna boys in their win.
Manuel Diaz Alvarez, Tanner Wallen, Brandon Cruz and Danny Olea each netted in the win.
“We made some formation adjustments and found a bit more energy,” Fortuna head coach Daniel Holmes said.
Cooper Munson and Jerome Everta scored for Eureka, with Levi Grossman adding an assist.
“We didn’t start the game well and it showed that Fortuna wanted it more,” Eureka head coach Tommy Learmouth said.
The game got off to an exciting start with both teams scoring early, but the Huskies would take control before halftime and led 4-1 at the break.
The Loggers gave up two penalty kicks, but one of them was saved by Mason Beauchamp, who has established himself as one of the best net minders in the H-DNL.
“We struggled to match Fortuna’s intensity,” Learmouth said. “In the second half we started much better and showed a lot of grit and heart. Unfortunately tonight wasn’t our night.”
Girls
Eureka 2, Fortuna 1
The Eureka girls scored a goal in each half on the way to victory in a physical game against Fortuna on Tuesday.
Elliot Banducci netted the go-ahead goal on a first-half penalty with a beautiful placement to the bottom left corner, according to Eureka head coach Melaina Valdez.
Ella Moxon doubled the advantage after the interval on a breakaway, and the Loggers carried a two-goal lead deep into the game, before the Huskies got on the scoresheet in the final minute.
It was a battle all the way to the end.
“We always expect a competitive and physical game against Fortuna, and our girls did a great job staying composed and disciplined through it all,” Valdez said.
Eureka goalkeeper Peyton Graney had a good game between the posts and made some key saves on some tough shots, as the Loggers grew into the game.
“(The) girls stepped up in the second half and worked possession, adjusting the middle and getting creative to feed the ball to our girls in the upper field,” the Eureka coach added.
No stats were immediately available for the Huskies.
The Huskies fared better over the weekend beating rival and neighbor Ferndale 3-0, with all three goals coming in the first half.
Emma Crotty scored two goals in the win, with teammate Jozlyn Dahl also finding the back of the net.
They grew into the game after a slow start.
“We started a little slowly but we started to pick up the pace,” Fortuna head coach Arnulfo Aguirre said.
“Second half our performance was better from the defense all the way to the forwards. We were connecting passes, moving in space, talking to one another.
“Overall good performance from the team.”
Del Norte 3, Arcata 0
Jaden Bennett continued to play a pivotal role for the Warriors on Tuesday, as they got the better of Arcata to make it two straight wins over Pacific League teams.
After defeating McKinleyville 3-0 on Saturday, the Warriors posted a second shutout victory in four days, improving to 5-3-2 on the season.
Bennett scored the opening goal and teammates Elisabeth Lopez and Lillie Franklin each also netted to give Del Norte a three-goal cushion at halftime.
“We played well,” Del Norte head coach Shawn Eckart said. “Our defense was solid. We kept the ball in their half quite a bit.”
Avery Ritter had another good game between the posts for Del Norte, and combined well with her defense for the shut out.
Bennett’s influence could also be felt in the middle of the field.
“She’s really getting better at communicating and connecting all the pieces,” Eckart said of the influential midfielder.
Another player who stood out in the win and who is making her presence felt is central defender Johanna Montanez, who is filling in well for her older sister, Deanna Montanez, who is out injured right now.
“She really stood out,” Eckart said of Johanna. “She really has stepped up.”
