ARLINGTON — Despite returning a solid core of players from last year’s district tournament run, the Arlington girls soccer team is working through some growing pains.

The team made adjustments to incorporate new varsity players, including a new defensive formation that is still a work in progress.

The girls are beginning to pick it up as they apply it in games. But Arlington fell in their first two games with a loss in their opener at Everett and a 3-0 loss at home against Marysville-Pilchuck Sept. 10.

M-P midfielder Lauren Noltes scored goal against Arlington in the 70th minute, rebounding a Kayla Thistle attempt blocked by Arlington’s returning all-league keeper Chelsea Boulton.

Noltes’ goal against Arlington put Marysville-Pilchuck up 2-0 after an early goal by midfielder Melissa Kirk broke the stalemate.

Tomahawk senior Kiely Cordon also scored a goal in the 75th minute.

Arlington coach Nathan Davis said he was not surprised to see an improved Marysville-Pilchuck team after winning one and tying another against the Tomahawks the year before. He added that the latter two Marysville goals were simply difficult to defend. But as the defense is taking hold, the Eagles are still looking for a go-to goal scorer while senior forward Kristina Longosky is on the mend from a sprain.

“Longosky is strong for us,” Davis said. “She can pull the trigger.”

Despite graduating only four seniors last year, Arlington is still a relatively young team with only five seniors on the roster of 17. As the season goes on, Davis said he is expecting his younger players will step up.

“They’re young kids,” he added. “I think it will come, it’s just a matter of time.”

Click here for more photos.