READFIELD – Thursday’s task for the Mt. Blue field hockey team was considered overwhelming against the experience of second-ranked Gardiner in the Class A quarterfinals.

The duo of Laura Nimon and Brittney Chadbourne combined on two of Gardiner’s three first-half goals that proved enough in the Tigers 3-0 win.

Although Gardiner had earned home-field advantage, the game was played at Maranacook. The neutral site was necessary because the Tigers’ field was unplayable due to soggy conditions.

No. 2 Gardiner (12-3) advances to play Oxford Hills in Saturday’s semifinals.

The Tigers had beat Mt. Blue 4-0 during the season.

“I wasn’t surprised by Gardiner’s start,” Cougar coach Jeannie Beaulieu said. “This is a young team, but we held them in check for awhile. We did some good things, we didn’t back down and that bodes well for next year.”

The game was scoreless until Gardiner’s pressure overwhelmed Cougar sweeper Allison Frechette and produced three goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half. Chadbourne, a midfielder, advanced the ball forward and passed to Nimon, who drilled it past Cougars goalie Audrey Ramos (10 saves). Chadbourne hustled throughout the game and tracked down numerous loose balls.

The Tigers scored again 4:28 later when Lynsey Seymour was set up by Becky Dixon.

“We were skeptical coming into the game,” Gardiner coach Moe McNally said. “We had worked hard throughout the regular season to earn home field and then we got bumped off our own field. Luckily, Maranacook field was available and it’s in fine shape.”

McNally said that the communication by the players was important because the team uses a short passing game.

Mt. Blue (7-7-1) couldn’t generate any consistency on offense as passes by Meghan Ladd failed to connect with Sarah Pluck, Heather Groder, Ashley Weeks and Heidi Judkins.

Gardiner goalies Kelsey Moody and Erica Berry combined on the shutout.

“We didn’t allow any goals off penalty shots,” said Beaulieu, who stressed the positives. “We shut them out in the second half. Our offense didn’t get going because of the passing and getting the proper (spacing), but that will come with experience.”

Nimon gave Gardiner a 3-0 lead when she beat the clock with 14 seconds left in the half.