EDMONDS — The Eagles’ 2-1 loss to the Warriors was just another sign of improvement.
Arlington started a comeback, but couldn’t finish it at Edmonds Stadium Oct. 12, but showed a patience that can only come with experience.
“I thought our pressure was pretty good, especially in the second half,” said Arlington manager Nathan Davis. “We had a couple of chances (to even the score) but we just couldn’t finish them.”
After an uneventful first half, Edmonds took a 1-0 in the 50th minute on one of the Warriors’ many crosses that left Lindsey Aranda open near the goal mouth to tap in near-post.
After the goal, Edmonds carried the ball more, but overextended its attack, which resulted in an equalizer with about three minutes to play. With a spread field, Arlington took advantage of a missed clearance by an Edmonds defender. Playing the miss was forward Dana Canaria, who ran on to the ball, forcing a 1-on-1 situation with the keeper. She punched it in from about 12 yards out.
“Dana works hard trying to get the ball and makes great runs,” said Davis. “She’s so tiny that she has to really work at keeping the ball once she gets it, and she was able to keep balance and score.”
Just a few minutes later, in stoppage time, the Warriors scored the game-winner off a set piece just outside the penalty box.
The loss drops Arlington to 1-9 in conference play. The Eagles took the brunt of the Warriors’ attack, being outshot 13-4, but didn’t lose their shape through most of the match.
Davis was encouraged by his younger players’ ability to maintain their counter-attack style and make the most out of their opportunities, scoring once in four shots all match.
“When you play counter-attack it makes it frustrating for a lot of teams, because you’re always putting 10 players behind the ball and making it harder for a team to attack,” he said.
He also had praise for both senior Mackie Adell and sophomore Ronnie Ladines.
“We just brought her up (from junior varsity) and she played a very solid outside back,” said Davis of Ladines.
The Eagles, who have seven seniors on their roster, play Marysville-Pilchuck in their final home match Oct. 21.
