MARYSVILLE — Tough losses characterized the opening games for both M-P and Arlington soccer, so both teams were anxious to improve to .500 as they faced off at Quil Ceda Stadium, Sept. 11.

While both teams played a closely matched first half, Arlington went home with the win as junior midfielder Jessica VanLoo scored the game’s only goal in the 62nd minute off of an assist by senior midfielder Kristen Allen.

The score proved particularly frustrating to the Tomahawks, who redoubled their offensive efforts for the remaining 18 minutes. But with the goal in hand, Arlington’s junior goalkeeper Chelsea Boulton just kept doing her job.

“Whenever it’s a close game, you know they’re going to have a run at you,” said Arlington coach Nathan Davis. “Chelsea Boulton had about three big saves to preserve the shutout.”

It was the goalkeeper’s second career shutout, after she got some starts late in her sophomore season.

Coming off a 3-0 loss to league-favorite Everett, Davis said he was pleased with his team’s improvement.

“The girls, intensity-wise, just knew the system a lot better,” he said. “Offensively our job was to spread them out. We had much better pressure in the midfield.”

The Tomahawks were still looking for their first win as they visited winless Stanwood Sept. 16 after The Globe/Times went to press. They face Everett, Sept. 18, at home.

Arlington hosted Oak Harbor Sept. 16 before visiting Cascade Sept. 18.