DIXFIELD – Dirigo girls’ soccer coach Art Chamberlin says teamwork was the key factor in the Cougars’ success in an MVC game Saturday.

Communication allowed the players to maintain their composure down the stretch.

A nifty goal by Katie Hutchinson six minutes into the game proved to be enough, and a solid defensive effort sealed a 1-0 victory against previously unbeaten Wiscasset.

Dirigo (4-0-2) applied pressure at the onset and produced a couple of early scoring chances. The Redskins failed to clear the zone and Katherine Gagne booted the ball back to the top of the box. Hutchinson dribbled in and Wiscasset goalie Megan Foye rushed out. This allowed Hutchinson to push the ball to the past the goalie and boot it into the left corner of the goal.

“We believe the first 10 minutes of a game is the most important,” Hutchinson said. “That’s where the game can be won or lost, and we came out strong. Sure, we would have liked to have scored more goals, but the one that we did get stood up.”

Wiscasset (4-1) adjusted and stepped up the pace in the latter stages of the second half. A crossing pass found Kristin Lear unmarked, but her shot struck the left post. Wiscasset coach Wayne Benn rotated everybody forward and tried for one give-and-go pass

The ploy was neutralized by the Dirigo defense and goalie Lynette Bryant (10 saves). The sophomore goalie made several saves and wasn’t afraid to range out in order to prevent Wiscasset from rushing in.

The Cougars’ Megan Russell, Carrie Jamison, Brielle Brooks and Brittany Palmer consistently stepped up to challenge.

“I was keying on their quickness,” said Palmer. “They had some good ball control. Our communication was very important because it let us know where everyone was, and no girls got behind us.”

The Cougars who played to a scoreless tie against Lisbon on Thursday, held a 19-12 shot advantage. Wholesale substitutions kept fresh legs in the game.

“We played better today,” Chamberlin said. “We’ve been working hard in practice on getting shorter passes, and tightening up on offense. It’s been OK at the midfield, but we’d like to see a better all-around game.