File photo – Fortuna’s Sergio Marquez

Both Fortuna teams remain on top of the league standings after Saturday’s H-DNL soccer action.

The Fortuna boys defeated Eureka 4-0, while the girls tied the Loggers 2-2 in an entertaining showdown at Fortuna.

In other boys games on Saturday, Arcata and Del Norte tied 0-0, while McKinleyville defeated St. Bernard’s 6-0.

In girls action, McKinleyville and St. Bernard’s tied 1-1, while Arcata defeated Del Norte 3-1.

On Friday, the South Fork girls won a key game at Anderson Valley 4-0.

GIRLS

McKinleyville 1, St. Bernard’s 1

The Panthers and Crusaders shared the spoils at Crusader Field, with both teams trading goals in the second half.

Marayah Tomlinson gave the home team the lead off an Ema Brenes throw-in, when she was first to react to the loose ball in the penalty area and slotted home with a well-hit shot.

Brenes, who’s rocket throw-ins have become a valuable weapon for the Crusaders, had another strong game at sweeper, frustrating the Panthers throughout.

Mckenzie Bray tied the game on a penalty kick for the Panthers, who are now 1-5-1 in the H-DNL.

Rachel Rodrigues had a big game for the Crusaders, who are 2-4-1 in league play, and has become a reliable option in goal, coming away with three big one-on-one stops to keep her team in the game.

“Rachel Rodrigues was just amazing,” SB head coach Phil Rouse said. “She must have had 10 saves.”

Freshman Adrianna Granados also had a big game for the home team as a holding midfielder.

“She just played super strong,” Rouse said.

Likewise with senior Mackenzie Finck, who lifted her team after they were reduced to 10 men with a second-half sending off.

“I was really happy with the way we played,” Rouse said. “We played a really good game a player down. They were scrappy and they fought every minute.”

Del Norte 1. Arcata 3

Tildy Macdonald scored two goals and Bailey Cherms added the other as the Arcata girls won their third straight.

Zakiya Elloway added two assists for the Tigers, who improved to 6-2 in league play and remain in the thick of the championship chase.

“Overall, it was a good performance,” said Arcata head coach Patrick Stranahan, who also praised the Del Norte keeper for the way she played.

Friday’s game

South Fork 4, Anderson Valley 0

The Cubs gave their playoff hopes a boost with a comfortable win at Anderson Valley, with freshman standout Summer Contreras scoring a pair of goals and adding an assist.

It was also a memorable day for junior defender Alahni Christianson, who scored her first ever high school goal on a long range effort.

Freshman Macy Yarbrough rounded out the scoring with her second goal of the season, while teammates Kayla Berteaux and Marian Del Rio each had an assist.

With the win, the Cubs are now 3-2 against small schools and need one more win in their final two games against small schools to qualify for the postseason.

The Cubs play both of those opponents, St. Bernard’s and Laytonville, in the next nine days.

BOYS

Eureka 0, Fortuna 4

The Huskies scored a pair of goals in each half on the way to their seventh win in eight league games.

Fortuna got goals from four different players, including one on a well worked move by Oscar James Avendano.

Sergio Marquez, Lane Shelton and Junior Cruz each also scored in the win, as the Huskies remain without striker Fernando Atilano, who is game-to-game with an ankle injury.

“It was a better overall performance,” head coach Daniel Holmes said. “We came out with a little bit of intensity.”

The Huskies also may have found their solution in center midfield, an area where they have struggled to find consistency this season, with the pairing of Antonio Garcinuno and Marquez putting in a solid shift together.

“For right now, it’s working,” Holmes said.

Geovaney Ramirez had another strong showing in the heart of defense.

Del Norte 0, Arcata 0

The Tigers celebrated senior day before playing out a scoreless tie with visiting Del Norte, and are now unbeaten in six straight league games.

The split also keeps the Tigers in contention for an H-DNL title. Arcata is 6-1-1 in league play, trailing only Fortuna, which is 7-0-1.

“I felt like we controlled the game well and managed it well,” Arcata head coach John Davidson said. “I was most happy with our ability to push the ball out of the back.”

The first-year head coach is also happy with the progress his team has made this year, as the Tigers have emerged as worthy contenders to the Huskies, but he admits there’s still work to do in order to catch the league leaders.

“I feel we’re still learning the killer instinct,” the coach said. 

On Saturday, they celebrated their senior class, including three co-captains, Jack Taylor, Levi Robbins and Conor Olson, each of whom is enjoying a big season with the team.

Senior center defenders Marrick Clancy and Gavin Perry were also honored before kickoff, as were Gabe Sanchez, Arthur Frye and Travis Namen.

“I have to say it’s an outstanding group of student athletes in terms of their discipline, their self motivation and their commitment,” Davidson said of his players.

McKinleyville 6, St. Bernard’s 0

The Panthers got back on track at St. Bernard’s after this week’s disappointing loss to Del Norte.

With the win, McKinleyville is now 2-3-2 in the H-DNL.

For St. Bernard’s, Brayden Luna saved a penalty kick after taking over in goal when the Crusaders starting goalie was forced from the game momentarily with a yellow card.

In defense, Justin Keffer and Joseph Luna each continued to impress for the Crusaders.

No scoring details were available for McKinleyville.

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Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.