A pair of local league champions capped impressive regular seasons with good performances on Tuesday as each gets set for the upcoming North Coast Section playoffs.
The Arcata boys, who clinched the H-DNL title outright over the weekend, made the short trip to play neighbor and rival McKinleyville and came away with a 5-2 win.
The St. Bernard’s girls, who are this year’s Redwood League champs, hosted Fortuna and tied 0-0.
Also in action on Tuesday, the Arcata girls comfortably got the better of McKinleyville 6-0 and the Fortuna boys beat St. Bernard’s 8-0.
Dakota Grosveld had a big game for the Arcata boys and was involved in four of his team’s five goals.
Grosveld netted a hat trick and added an assist, while Isai Aguilar also scored, as did Elalio Farahmand.
Elijah Brooks and Victor Vega each also had an assist for the champs.
“McKinleyville kept us on our toes and we wish them the best of luck in the playoffs and congratulate them on an amazing season,” Arcata head coach John Davidson said.
The St. Bernard’s girls, meanwhile, enjoyed a good afternoon defensively on the way to a fourth consecutive shutout.
“I thought we played pretty well,” St. Bernard’s head coach Brandon Amis. “Fortuna played a tough, physical match. They’re quick in transition and I thought we did a good job taking away their opportunities.”
It was Senior Day for the home team and the five seniors all contributed, no one more so than CJ Figas.
The team captain is enjoying an outstanding season and is closing out her high school career in style.
“She’s had an excellent senior season,” Amis said. “I don’t know how she doesn’t win MVP. She makes everyone around her better.”
Figas has worked well up front alongside fellow senior Malia Masayos, who also caused the Huskies problems on Tuesday and created a “bunch of opportunities,” according to the coach.
The other seniors — Sariah Vainuku, Paula Bullock and Chloe Grunden — each also impressed in their final regular-season games.
Vainuku, who scored her first two high school goals over the weekend, was “all over the field making excellent tackles,” according to the coach, while Bullock played “lights out defense.”
Grunden also impressed.
“She played excellent in big spots today,” Amis said of the team’s “super sub.”
No stats or details were immediately available for the Huskies.
At McKinleyville, meanwhile, the Arcata girls closed out league play with a big win over their rivals.
The Tigers were led by senior Ada Kinziger, who scored a hat trick in the victory and has made her presence felt all season long.
“Ada has been such a force for us this season. Without question the toughest player on the team,” Arcata head coach Matthew Ingram said. “A true team captain, leading by example with the utmost sportsmanship.”
Taylor Bowen also scored in the win.
After taking a corner kick, the ball found its way back out to Bowen and she netted from out wide on what Ingram described as a ‘beautiful goal.”
Hazel Ray also scored, making a run from the back and shooting over the Panthers back line to find the back of the net.
Senior goalkeeper Melody Aguelles-Diaz also enjoyed a good all-around day for the visitors in her final regular-season game.
After posting a shutout between the posts in the first half, the influential senior moved to forward after the break and scored to round out the scoring.
Aguelles-Diaz has had a big impact with the program and has big plans for her future.
“We’re all rooting for Mel as she prepares for the next chapter in the Marines,” Ingram said.
Ingram added that it has been very enjoyable working with his players this season.
“Again, I can’t say enough about how sweet it is to see these young ladies work together learning how to fight for each other and care for each other,” he said. “Go Tigers!”
