By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

DIXFIELD – Dirigo girls’ soccer coach Art Chamberlin figured the first team to score would have an advantage in its showdown with Georges Valley. The momentum and the game soon favored the visiting Bucs on Thursday afternoon.

A free kick by Molly Hoyt sailed into the net nine minutes, 26 seconds into the contest, and Georges Valley held off an early surge for a 2-0 shutout against the Cougars.

Although it’s still September, both teams were aware of the valuable Heal Points up for grabs. Dirigo (4-2-1) was ranked first and Georges Valley (6-0) was fifth. The teams have a history of playing close encounters.

“It was a very different game in the second half,” Georges Valley coach Darryl Townsend said. “We knew coming in that Dirigo would give us a game. Fortunately, we adjusted at halftime and picked up the pressure, plus I think we did a better job of controlling the middle third of the field.”

On the game’s first goal, Hoyt booted the ball high, and it just cleared the outstretched arms of Dirigo goalie C.C. Chow.

The Cougars responded with an offensive surge for the next four minutes. Shannon Daley’s shot struck the crossbar, but the Georges Valley sweeper cleared the ball out of the crease. The Cougars regained control, but Katie Hutchinson was denied twice by goalie Chelsie Eugley (nine saves).

Much of the action came at both ends of the field, preventing Dirigo from utilizing its midfield to control the ball. The Cougars struggled to adjust their style of play.

“That first goal took the wind out of our kids sails,” Dirigo coach Art Chamberlin said. “The girl’s need to learn how to pick up the intensity when they’re down.”

The Cougars’ Melissa Harvey also had some good looks, but there was no one in the vicinity for a rebound. Dirigo enjoyed a 16-13 advantage in shots, but corner kicks favored the Buccaneers 8-2.

Hoyt scored again 8:21 into the second half when her boot from 25 yards bounced off Chow’s arms and dropped down between her legs.

Chow, a senior tri-captain, made 10 saves and was helped out by defenders Deidra Gilbert, Brittany Palmer and Carrie Jamison.

“We certainly had chances,” Chamberlin said. “But, Georges Valley is a good team and passed the ball effectively. We let down in the second half, and I don’t know why. In the final 10 minutes, we adjusted by kicking the ball high and into their zone.”