The Eureka Loggers may be the top-ranked local girls soccer team in the North Coast Section right now, but one H-DNL team appears to have their number.
On Wednesday, a red-hot Del Norte team traveled to Albee Stadium and knocked off this year’s Pacific League champs 3-1.
It was just the second loss all season for the Loggers, both of them coming against the Warriors, who clearly know how to match up against the Eureka girls.
Also in action on Wednesday, the St. Bernard’s girls hosted McKinleyville and won 7-0.
But the big story of the day was the Warriors, who have been the most impressive team in the H-DNL in recent weeks and stretched their unbeaten streak to 10 consecutive games.
The Loggers started the stronger of the two teams and led early, but the visitors would respond just a few minutes later when senior Lillie Franklin found the back of the net to make it 1-1.
They would add two more goals before halftime — one each from Jaden Bennett and Liberty Chilcott — and both teams were held scoreless after the break.
The three goals were the most a low-scoring Del Norte team has managed since a 3-0 win over Arcata a month ago, but it’s something the coaches and players have been working on.
They have posted shutouts in five games on the 10-game unbeaten run and have not allowed more than one goal in any of them.
And if they continue to play that way, they will be a tough matchup for anyone in the upcoming North Coast Section playoffs.
Scoring more goals is a challenge the Del Norte players have embraced.
“Their soccer intelligence has grown substantially,” Del Norte head coach Shawn Eckart said of his players. “They understand their weak points and they’re trying to fix them.”
Freshman Reba Deater assisted on the third goal, while ever-impressive goalkeeper Avery Ritter continues to play a very high level between the posts.
“Avery is a very important anchor on this team,” Eckart said of the senior team captain.
With the win, the Warriors improved to 7-3-7, while Eureka dropped to 11-2.
No details were available for Eureka.
Next up, the Warriors will host Fortuna on Senior Day on Saturday afternoon, with kickoff set for 3 p.m.
At St. Bernard’s, meanwhile, the Crusaders posted a second straight shutout win while improving to 11-5-1.
Senior team captain CJ Figas was involved in the first five goals of the afternoon, scoring one and assisting on four.
Fellow senior team captain Malia Masayos also had a good game and was involved in four of the goals, scoring one and assisting on three.
The highlight of the day was a rare goal from goalkeeper Kaitlyn Amis, who closed out the scoring on a long range free kick after moving out of goal.
Check out highlights of Amis’ goal above …
“We possessed the ball. We moved the ball incredibly well,” SB head coach Brandon Amis said. “It was kind of a complete team win today.”
Kinley Johnson, Preslee Sundquist, Paloma Granados and Meadow Rousse each also scored in the win, while Kate Bailey added an assist.
Brandon Amis said his back line did a good job taking away opportunities from McKinleyville junior team captain Abagail Pimentel, who “was incredible,” according to the SB coach.
With the loss the Panthers dropped to 0-13-2 on the season.
No other details were available for the Panthers. Coaches are encouraged to forward details to Humboldt Sports if they would like to see their players included in our roundups.
On Tuesday, meanwhile, the Fortuna Huskies defeated South Fork 3-1.
The always-dangerous Hannah Savio score the only goal of the game for the Cubs, off an assist from Calleigh Smith.
Despite the loss, the Cubs continued to make strides.
“Every player continues to improve and are working together well as a team,” South Fork head coach Beth Anderson said.
The midfield of Lilly Elizalde, Molly Tennessee, Elizabeth Chivington and Kendall Kercher had a good game together both defensively and helping to create opportunities for the forwards.
Sophomore goalkeeper Leyla Curia kept the Cubs in the game with 18 saves, “many of them spectacular,” according to the coach, while defenders Kamea Hawkins and Carolyn Wansick did a good job helping to contain a dangerous Fortuna front line.
No details were available for the Huskies.
