LEWISTON – Adam Wilding could not have asked for a more perfect pass.

When a Mount Blue defender’s attempt to clear the defensive zone came right back toward the Lewiston junior forward, he almost couldn’t believe his eyes.

“It was perfect,” said Wilding. “It was coming right through.”

Charging in from the outside, Wilding intercepted the deflection and one-timed it into the net for the only goal Saturday in a 1-0 Blue Devils win over Mt. Blue.

“It got deflected by one of the defenders, and I was coming from the outside,” said Wilding. “I just drove it past the goalkeeper. I knew I just wanted to finish it and take advantage of that ball.”

The play, which came with 27:31 left in the game, began with a Corey Worthington cross from the right wing.

Lewiston won its second straight game after a 1-0 loss to Oxford Hills Tuesday.

“We bounced back from not playing well Tuesday,” said Lewiston coach Mike McGraw. “We just did not play really well (against Oxford Hills).”

Lewiston (6-2-2) outshot the Cougars (6-3-2) and controlled much of the game Saturday. Lewiston was ranked fourth in the latest Eastern A Heal Points, while Mt. Blue was sixth.

“I thought we’d match up evenly,” said Mt. Blue coach Joel Smith. “Definitely the outcome wasn’t what I expected. I think we’re a better team than that. We didn’t create as many opportunities as we could have.”

Mt. Blue fell into playing Lewiston’s game for much of the contest. Lewiston’s skill and ability to move the ball through the air had the Cougars chasing the ball much of the time. Some steady rain and slippery conditions may not have helped at times.

Though the Cougars played hard, Lewiston was solid defensively and kept much of the pressure on the Mt. Blue defense and midfield. Luke Ferreira and Oscar Rivera Garcia created most of the offense, but not much that challenged Lewiston keeper Eric Grenier.

“We knew going in that (Ferreira) was a man we had to watch and respect, because he’s very dangerous,” said McGraw. “We knew Mt. Blue is a team that has a great deal of enthusiasm, and their work ethic is very high. They play with a lot of spirit, and you have to match that sort of intensity. I thought we did.”

Lewiston created some pressure early on, getting strong work up front from Dave Labonte and Worthington.

Worthington’s pass to Matt Manley with Mt. Blue keeper Ben Prentiss out of the net nearly resulted in a goal, but that shot went wide. Labonte beat two defenders and had a bid but put the shot over the goal.

Mt. Blue’s first shot on goal didn’t come until the final minute of the first half when Garcia put a shot on Grenier.

Lewiston outshot Mt. Blue 6-3 in the second half and 13-4 overall.

The Cougars’ best try at the equalizer came with six minutes left. Ferreira sent a ball ahead to Zach Frechette, but his shot went over the net.

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