Arlington Martin continued its impressive run through District 4-6A with a 4-0 road victory over rival Arlington High on Friday.

The victory kept the Warriors undefeated in district competition, and the shutout extended their streak of games without a goal conceded. Martin (7-3-2, 6-0) has yet to allow a goal in district play, outscoring opponents 24-0 over that stretch.

“They have a lot of potential,” Martin coach Ruth Knight said of her players. “I haven’t seen them hit their stride yet. I’m looking forward to them hopefully still playing some of their best soccer. It’s a good team.”

The first 20 minutes were fairly evenly played with few scoring opportunities at either end. In the 22nd minute, Mary Moore made a long run, working through the Arlington defense before shooting high.

Martin finally did break through two minutes later, when Moore was again causing problems for the Colts (5-4-2, 4-2). The ball was poked away from Moore inside the 18-yard box, but Natalee Heiser was on the spot to slam it home for the 1-0 lead.

Haley Ober almost doubled the lead in the 35th minute on a counter-attack. She held off Arlington defenders long enough to get away a hard shot, but Colts keeper Hannah King rushed out to challenge and deflected the ball away to keep the score 1-0 at halftime.

Martin took control in the first 10 minutes of the second half. In the 46th minute, Ober was waiting at the back post to knock home Melissa Fulfer’s corner kick for a 2-0 lead.

“We came out fired up,” Ober said. “They were playing pretty rough against us, and that just fired us up.”

Just four minutes later, Fulfer made it 3-0 when she one-timed a cross from Kate McCollough into the back of the net.

McCollough then added a header with two minutes remaining.

The Arlington Martin girls are getting defensive. Through three games in District 4-6A play, the Warriors have not surrendered a goal, while scoring 12.

It’s a welcome site for coach Ruth Knight, who was concerned early in the season that her team’s defense might be a weakness.

“As a coach, I feel like we should be undefeated right now,” Knight said of her team, which is 4-3-2. “We’ve been in every game, but gave up some goals we shouldn’t have.”

It’s not as though the defensive unit entered the season without experience. Junior goalkeeper Madeline Wasden was a starter last season, as were sweeper Logan Phillips and outside back Holly Hasten. Brittany Thompson, who missed last season with a knee injury, has worked into the back line, but Knight is still waiting for someone to nail down the stopper position.

“We have been more solid through district,” Knight said. “We’ve had a few scary moments, but the kids have regrouped and held on.”

It’s worth noting that the defense has already seen its fair share of tests this season. The Warriors played a grueling nondistrict schedule that included the National Elite Prep Showcase and matches against local powers Coppell and Grapevine, among others. All three of the team’s losses have been by a single goal.

“It’s hard for them going through that knowing that they’re going to face a tough opponent every time we step on the field. But you’ve got to have that toughness later on in order to be able to face your opponents throughout the playoffs.”

It’s no coincidence that Knight brings up being tough for the playoffs. After finishing district play undefeated last season, the Warriors were bounced from the playoffs in the first round.