DIXFIELD – Dirigo could not recover from its early deficit.

Matt Zinchuk scored twice and Ross Parker scored a goal and had one assist as Telstar remained hot with a decisive 4-0 boys’ soccer win against Dirigo.

Telstar (4-2) has won four of five games since losing to the Cougars in the season opener.

Refusing to take anything for granted, the Rebels took the lead one minute and 59 seconds into the game. Zinchuk scored off his own rebound, which was initially stopped by Dirigo goalie Lenny Hall. Kevin Zinchuk had booted the kick toward the right post.

“We wanted to put them away early,” Telstar coach Tim Remington said. “We’ve been a second half team, so today we wanted to start out strong. Our intention was to bring the ball up on the outside, keeping it on the ground and then getting the ball inside.”

But the Rebels proceeded to put to much air under the ball and Dirigo sweeper Trevis Knapp disrupted several rushes. Eventually, the pressure paid dividends.

Ross received the ball in the middle, squared up and booted the ball past Hall (10 saves). Alex Holmes had deked the Cougars’ Ryan Mayo, to assist with 17:20 left in the first half.

“There was a revenge factor,” Remington said. “We had talked about it in practice. They had come to our field and spoiled our opener.”

Dirigo (1-5) tried advancing the ball past Rebels defenders Nate Walker and Blake Conrad. The Cougars Jon Smith, Matt Chamberlin, Gary Holman and Adam Law each had shots. Telstar goalie Terry Collins made nine saves.

“I really didn’t make too many adjustments,” Dirigo coach Matt Brooks said. “I tried a new forward and it didn’t work out, but the new halfback worked well. We just haven’t been able to score any goals.”

Matt Zinchuk and Chris Duplessis each scored in the second half. The Cougars Josh Slowek and Law each had shots, but Collins stepped out and cradled them.

“We’ve been struggling,” Brooks said. “Despite the loss, I saw us do some positive things. Hopefully, we’re starting to turn the corner.”