SOUTH PARIS – Their records are similar and so are their goals.

So that made Thursday’s soccer game that much more important.

Both Mt. Blue and Oxford Hills had just two wins each this season and with both teams hoping for a playoff berth, their showdown Thursday was a prime opportunity.

“Every game for us for the rest of the season is a playoff game,” said Mt. Blue forward Zack Frechette. “It might as well be.”

Frechette scored two goals to lift the Cougars (3-5-2) past Oxford Hills, 2-0. After battling through a scoreless tie in the first half, Frechette broke the stalemate midway through the second half. He added a second tally late in regulation.

“Hopefully this will keep us in the top 10,” said Mt. Blue coach Joel Smith. “That’s what we’re looking for.”

The Cougars were ranked ninth in the latest Eastern A standings. Oxford Hills (2-6-1) was 15th, two spots out of a playoff berth.

“We did not play intense soccer in the first half,” said Oxford Hills coach Chris Record. “I thought we played a much better second half, even though we gave up two goals.”

The Cougars controlled play for much of the opening stanza but couldn’t beat Viking keeper David LaRoach.

The Vikings came out stronger in the second half, and Mt. Blue had to respond.

“I thought Oxford Hills definitely did step it up the second half,” said Smith. “The intensity level was right there until the very end. Fortunately, we were able to match that.”

The Vikings’ best scoring bid came with 23:20 left in the game. Torin Jellison and Craig LaPlante teamed up for a shot in front, but Mt. Blue keeper Tom Anderson charged out to block the shot.

Minutes later, Anderson’s clear from the defensive end set up Frechette’s first opportunity. He beat a defender and was tackled on the left side of the box. He quickly got back up, controlled the loose ball and steered it by the approaching goalie with 18:40 left.

“I kind of hit the ground and as soon as I hit the ground, I got back up,” said Frechette. “I’ve had a lot of goals that way. Most of the time it’s the goalie that has taken me out. Then I’ve just got up and spun around.”

The Vikings tried to rally and got a Kyle Keniston centering pass for Cody Scoville, but his redirection went wide with 13:30 remaining.

“We just weren’t able to produce good shots in front of the net,” said Record. “When we did have good opportunities, the goalie made good saves.”

With 8:07 left, Frechette made it 2-0 when he redirected a cross in front.

“It was me and the goalie and he came out,” said Frechette. “I got a foot on it first.”