ARLINGTON — Leading her team with three goals, Mckenzie Buell of Arlington is right where she should be in the season as a four-year leader for the team.

“She’s improved every year,” coach Nathan Davis said. “So it’s just exciting to see her improve.”

Buell scored her first two goals in Arlington’s second game and win over Lake Stevens and her third in its 2-1 loss to Stanwood Sept 13.

She got a nasty black eye in the Lake Stevens game, but her team worked well to break down the Vikings. The Eagles dropped the game to Stanwood, but Buell isn’t too worried about that loss.

“The season has been actually going really well,” Buell said. “I was really nervous at first because I wasn’t sure how we were going to do. But coming into the first three games we knew it was going to be tough teams. I think we fought hard in every single one of them.”

Arlington lost a lot of seniors last season, but its current roster has nine experienced players.

With the Eagles currently standing 2-2 and in first place in the Wesco 3A North, Buell likes her chances of helping the team get back to state, where they placed fourth last season.

“That’s going to be one of the biggest goals for the team and winning our league right now,” Buell said.

Buell scored 13 goals last season, and that will be tough to top this season, Davis said.

Needless to say, Buell is the player the team tries to get the ball to because of her scoring ability.

“She’s our high-pressure top player,” Davis said. “So we want to target her. She’s kind of the target for our midfielders.”

When Buell has possession of the ball she can make great plays, Davis said.

“She’s a good passer and tries to find her teammates,” Davis said. “Her greatest asset is that she’s a great anticipater. She pressures really well.”

The way she pressures actually plays well into Arlington’s defense, Davis added

“She wins a lot of the tackles just by hustling and having lots of energy,” Davis said.

Buell said she has a future in soccer, and has been working on getting exposure for colleges. She sees herself playing for a Division 2 team. Davis agrees.

“She’s a very good student,” Davis said. “So she has all the pieces to be a good college player.”

She wants to stay in state but is willing to travel as far south as Oregon to California. “There’s nothing specific I have in mind right now,” she said.