LAKE STEVENS — It might not have been the ending they wanted, but Arlington soccer emerged 2-1 from a long week against perennially difficult league opponents.

The girls fell 2-0 against Lake Stevens in a Sept. 27 meeting that culminated a week that saw wins at Snohomish and home against Monroe. While Lake Stevens improves to 5-0, Arlington is a none-too-shabby 4-2, good for third in the league behind the Vikings and 3A opponent Everett.

Both of Lake Stevens’ goals were scored by junior midfielder Annie Thomas, with the first coming just shy of the 18th minute. Arlington got within scoring range of the Viking goal several times, nearly tying it up before halftime when sophomore forward Macky Adell got behind the Lake Stevens defenders. Her kick at close range, however, went straight into Viking keeper Kaitlin MacKenzie.

“It was a physical, tough game,” said Arlington coach Nathan Davis. “We had most of the possessions, we just didn’t put it in.”

The week kicked off Sept. 23 with a 3-2 defeat of Snohomish. The teams traded goals, with junior midfielder Olivia Woodard scoring the game-winner in the game’s final 15 minutes.

“(Goalkeeper) Chelsea Boulton had a lot of great saves that game,” Davis added.

Boulton had another eight or nine by Davis’ estimation when the Eagles followed the Snohomish win with a shutout of Monroe. Freshman Teresa Wadey scored two goals in the 3-0 win at home, giving her three goals for the week.

The team has worked on playing better defense, Davis said of the team’s three-win streak leading into the Lake Stevens game. He attributed their better play to improved communication and trust between teammates.

Arlington closes out their first round against conference teams Oct. 2 when they host Stanwood. Beginning Oct. 7, they’ll get a chance to even the score against Everett as they kick off the second half of their schedule.