RUMFORD – Mountain Valley’s Shawnee Akers took control by scoring four goals in the first half as the Falcons displayed a strong defensive effort en route to a 6-0 field hockey win over arch-rival Dirigo on Wednesday at Hosmer Field.

The teams entered the game with different agendas following losses in respective season openers. Mountain Valley fell to Telstar in the final minutes, while the Cougars were shutout by Jay.

“We didn’t warm-up that well,” Akers said. “So the team was playing a little flat at the beginning of the game. We wanted to work on things, like our penalty corners, but most of all we wanted to come out of here with a win.”

Mountain Valley (1-1) awoke with vengeance, and Akers led the offensive onslaught by scoring the first three goals. Less then 10 minutes into the game, the Falcons closed in and Dirigo goalie Brittney Young rushed forward. Akers shot the ball and it bounced off Young’s leg pads in to the right corner of the cage.

Dirigo (0-2) was unable to mount an attack and the Falcons took advantage as Mckenzie Kaubry passed to Akers who one-timed it. The left inner scored an unassisted goal and Katie Doucette scored from the right post.

“It happens,” Dirigo coach Athena Sanders said, referring to the pressure. “This is a fast (Hosmer) field and it is short. But we adjusted and only allowed one goal in the second half.” Dirigo was playing without senior goalie Courtney Knox, who was injured in an automobile accident.

Lindsey Mckeen, Dani Webber, Jordan Holmes, Katrina Pulk, Morgan Hutchins and Collette Mckeen were unable to turn the tide.

The Falcons haves high expectations with this experienced group, including the defense of seniors (sweeper) Katie Yahn and fullbacks Kiley Clement and Shainna Mills. Goalie Emily Gallant made two saves.

“I’ve seen them play better and they know they can,” Mountain Valley coach Melissa Forbes said. “Still, there was some good passing, and I heard them communicating well with each other.”