ARLINGTON — A very early Arlington goal proved critical for the Eagle soccer team as they would score no more and go on to tie the visiting Tomahawks 1-1.

In the second minute of the Oct. 9 game, Arlington junior Jessica Van Loo bumped the ball toward the M-P goal and it slid under Tomahawk keeper Lauren Schoonover to give Arlington an early lead.

Arlington held that lead almost 60 minutes before Marysville’s sophomore midfielder Krista Riozzi landed a beautiful kick in the Arlington goal from about 25 yards out. The ball crossed from the left sideline to the far goal post, making it a difficult kick to defend for Arlington keeper Chelsea Boulton.

The Arlington defense proved a major part of the tie game as the trio of defenders Samantha Coy, Lauren Dusold and Amanda Wreggelsworth kept Boulton from having to save more than about three balls.

“I thought we played well,” said Arlington coach Nathan Davis after the draw. “They did too. It was just a great match.”

The second half of the season is always important to teams and this game — the second of eight rematches that close out the regular season schedule — both teams had incentive to put their best foot forward. With the tie, Arlington is sitting at fifth in the league, fourth among 4A schools behind Lake Stevens, Monroe and Stanwood, which puts them in the race for a district tournament slot. The Tomahawks, who have moved their handful of experienced players to the midfield, are seeking mainly to improve on their first-half record by picking up a couple of wins where they had close matches the first time around.

Already, M-P coach Geoff Kittle said he saw improvements from the changes made.

“The girls started winning some individual battles tonight,” he said. “Once they figure out those new positions, they’ll play a little better.”