LEWISTON – Solid defense is expected from the goaltender.

An assist on the game-winning goal is pure gravy.

Laura Martel scored two goals and Lewiston netminder Beth Melanson recorded her first-ever assist as the Blue Devils held off a determined Mt. Ararat squad in posting a 3-2 win over the Eagles in KVAC girls’ soccer action at Franklin Pasture Tuesday evening.

“This was a big one,” said Lewiston (1-0-1) coach Rick Meyers. “We knew they were one of the toughest teams in the league and we’re just entering the KVAC so we are really trying to test things out.”

It was a case of getting a jump on the competition early, then holding on for dear life in the end.

The Eagles (1-1) dominated the second half, keeping the ball in the Lewiston end for most of the half. They only managed one goal in the span but had more than a few chances to even the match.

“In the second half we changed things around,” said Mt. Ararat coach Sam Chard. “We put three on the top and a lot of pressure on the defense. We got the unlucky bounces, the posts and the crossbar several times but hey that’s the way the ball goes.”

“Their sweeper was their hero. She was the one that kept them in the game and made some phenomenal saves. That sweeper is one heck of a player.”

That sweeper is Lindsey Foster and Meyers agrees.

“She was an All-State selection last year in the SMAA,” he said.

Martel got the party going seven minutes into the contest when she took the pass from Kristina Harvey and chipped a shot into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Seven minutes later it was Martel’s turn to set up a teammate. She fed Katie Morin to make it 2-0 Blue Devils.

“In practice we have been working on that all week,” said Martel. “We practice on my kicking it through and you have to time it perfect and she happened to be there at the perfect time. Everything worked out for us.”

The Eagles’ Erika Stupinski recorded both goals for Mt. Ararat, the first with 15:34 remaining in the half to get the visitors on the board.

What proved to be the winning goal was just as memorable as it was important.

Melanson cleared the ball from the Lewiston zone and into the hands of Martel. Then it was in the back of the net.

“I took the ball a little over midfield,” said Martel. “I had an open path and dribbled past a couple of defenders and put it in the far corner.”

“It was nice,” said Melanson. “It was the first time in four years. I couldn’t believe it. I was just kicking it up, I didn’t think I’d actually ever get an assist. An assist on the winning goal, I didn’t think of that.”

Stupinski closed the gap to a single goal with 6:35 remaining in the game.

Melanson was called upon to make 11 saves for Lewiston. Her opposite number, Kerry Kowalcyzk stopped 12 shots for the Eagles.

“It’s good to know we can hold up with a team like this,” the Meyers. “But it was a nail-biter.”

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