RUMFORD – Familiarity doesn’t breed contempt. It breeds wins for the Mt. Abram girls’ soccer team.

The Roadrunners are no strangers to each other, and it shows on the field. An experience and balanced Mt. Abram team has started the season with a perfect record, and its continuity as a group plays a significant part in that success.

“They’ve played a lot together,” said Mt. Abram coach Marc Keller. “The three midfielders and two of the forwards, this is their third year of varsity. They’ve played a lot of time.”

That seasoning was in stark contrast to Mountain Valley’s youth in a 5-0 Roadrunner win Monday night. Mt. Abram (11-0) outshot the Falcons 21-0 and scored twice in the first 4:03 to set the tone.

Maria Parrett had a goal and an assist for the Roadrunners. Mt. Abram also got tallies from Mikayla Burbank, Emma James, Kaitie Buschmann and Emma Twitchell.

“When we step on the field, they compliment each other so well that they make each other better,” said Keller, whose club hosts a key MVC showdown Friday against Georges Valley.

The Roadrunners have equalled their 11 wins from last year. The club graduated talent, but with veterans like seniors Rebecca London, Parrett, James, Rebecca Fullerton, Rachel Fullerton and Desiree Abbott, they’re stronger than ever before.

“I know this senior class has a ton of really good players,” said junior defender Kylie Rolbiecki. “They’re really skilled. Our defense has always been really strong. I wasn’t worried about letting the goals in.”

The Roadrunners have allowed just two goals all season. Though the offense struggled to find the net in years past, the front line is balanced and able to maintain a persistent attack.

“We work really well together, especially up front,” said Parrett. “We pass really well and have a lot of opportunities because we talk so much and communicate.”

Mt. Abram scored 57 seconds into the game when Burbank’s shot bounced in the goal mouth and went over the head of keeper Krista Lee. At 4:03, London set up Parrett for a goal and quick 2-0 lead.

“We always try to get our goal in right away and start off the game fast,” said Parrett.

James added a goal on a penalty kick with 17:27 left in the half, and Buschmann scored with 11:44 left off a pass by Parrett. The Roadrunners put up 14 shots and kept the pressure on for much of the first half, giving keeper Noelle Lake an easy night.

“Because our offense is so good, we hang around the mid and all we need to do is put it back in and have the offense run onto it,” said Rolbiecki.

Twitchell scored late in the second half, finishing off a pass by Jaci Crossman.

Mountain Valley (1-5-4) battled hard well into the second half and cut the shots allowed in half. Falcons goalie Breana Roberts substituted early in the game and did a nice job, finishing with 12 saves.

It was the first game back for Mountain Valley coach Kris Tyler, who’d missed three weeks after having a baby.

“I’ve seen a lot of progress,” said Tyler, whose club graduated 14 seniors last year. “It’s a young team. I have a lot of freshmen that are starting varsity right now. I’m really excited about what’s coming back. I’m going to have a complete returning team next year.”