DIXFIELD – A goal by Emily Chase late in the first half provided momentum as the Dirigo Cougars opened things up in a 4-0 shutout against arch-rival Mountain Valley in a girls’ soccer game at chilly Harlow Park on Thursday.

Class C Dirigo (2-3) attacked early and had several opportunities to score, but Falcon goalie Krista Lee refused to back down.

The Cougars dumped the ball deep in to the offensive zone, and it led to the eventual winning play when the busy Mountain Valley defense failed to clear the all. Chase halted the ball 15 yards out, faked left and dribbled around Falcon back Lynsie Dupuis, which drew Lee to rotate over. Chase looked up and kicked the ball in to the far corner of the net, with 3:39 remaining in the first half.

“We really, really wanted to win this game,” Chase said. “I don’t believe the goal changed the momentum of the game, but it made the team more comfortable in what we were doing.”

Class B Mountain Valley actually had the best chance to score earlier when Cougar senior goalie Lanette Bryant raced out 35 yards, and Jamaica Ford kicked the ball toward the right post. The freshman dribbled in, but Cougar fullback Nikki Berry dove to prevent the ball from rolling in to the open net.

“I’m glad we scored the first goal,” Dirigo coach Art Chamberlin said. “They needed that to lift them up after Jay (loss) when things didn’t go our way. On Lanette taking chances, it may cause some anxious moments, but its necessary to get the team going. She’s showing some leadership.”

Chase scored, again, with a header from that far side of the net. Jane Hebert had stopped the ball out front and kicked the ball over to Chase who was left unmarked on the right side.

Mountain Valley used wholesale substitutions in an attempt to find the right combinations, and assistant coach Jason Perreault was filling in for varsity coach Kristin Tyler who delivered a baby on Monday.

In the second half, the Falcons had several chances to break the ice. Kate Thorne and Hillary Dolloff each had shots directly on net. Ellen Thorne dug the ball out of the right corner to set up Dolloff at the post.

Dirigo added an insurance on a goal by Kayla Schuster. Moments later, Kelly Gould scored on a pass by Cassie Moretto.

The Cougars utilized their entire bench and received some valuable contributions by several players. Senior Angela Knox started in the backfield for Trisha Turner who was sick.

“The kids played aggressively,” Chamberlin said. “They went after the ball and rotated over in to the correct positions. This is what we needed because they are seeing how it is paying off.”