The Del Norte girls continued to cause plenty of anxious moments for their H-DNL opponents in girls soccer on Saturday.

After winning just four games in league play a year ago, all of them against smaller schools Ferndale and South Fork, this year’s Warriors have looked a lot more competitive so far this season.

The Del Norte girls may be 0-2 to start the H-DNL and they may lack the necessary consistency to seriously trouble the top teams, but they have shown some notable signs of growth in 2019.

Head coach Ashley Herrera’s squad raced out to a quick 2-0 lead over St. Bernard’s in Crescent City on Saturday, before seeing the advantage slip away in a disappoint eight-minute spell when the visitors scored three goals to take control of the game.

Through their opening two league games, the Warriors have caused problems for both the Crusaders and the Fortuna Huskies, something they weren’t always able to do a year ago.

In particular, Melanie Alvarado has been impressive anchoring the defense, as has freshman sweeper Jaclyn Daley, who had a big performance against the Crusaders.

Daley had an assist in the game, setting up a goal by Bailey Gonzalez

Lanaeya Botelho also scored and kept the visiting defense on its toes with four shots on the day.

Up front, junior Jadence Clifton, a basketball standout, has quickly adapted to her new surroundings in her first season playing soccer and also had a big game on Saturday.

The Warriors host Fortuna on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

The Del Norte boys will also be in action against Fortuna, kicking off their game at 3:30 p.m.

In other H-DNL soccer on Wednesday, both the Arcata boys and girls will host South Fork, while both Eureka teams travel to McKinleyville.

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