MONMOUTH – To the victor goes the spoils, and in this case, the bounty is plenty of doughnuts.

The Monmouth Academy girls’ soccer team claimed its first win of the season Monday, and the Mustangs’ effort in the 1-0 victory over Dirigo earned them more than just a handful of Heal Points.

“We get doughnuts if we get a shutout,” said junior forward Courtney McFarren. “The other day we played and it was 0-0 (against Mountain Valley). So we get double the doughnuts.”

McFarren’s goal early in the first half was all the Mustangs (1-10-1) needed. Monmouth produced a solid defensive effort and never allowed Dirigo to get consistent pressure.

“It’s so encouraging, because we’ve been working so hard,” said senior defender Bethany Neal. “We haven’t been winning, and that downs our energy.”

Monmouth had plenty of energy and enthusiasm Monday morning. It outworked the Cougars (4-6-3) and rejoiced after a well-earned victory.

Neal and Jess Gray are the only two seniors on a club with 12 players that are freshmen or sophomores. The Mustangs lost most of a squad that won seven games last fall and are slowly making progress with a young team.

“It gets old when you keep telling them, ‘It’s going to come and you’re getting better,’ ” said Monmouth coach Gary Trafton. “They’re like, ‘We’re still losing. We’re still losing.’ “

Monmouth has allowed six goals in the final minute this season, including one in a heartbreaking loss to Hall-Dale earlier in the week. The Mustangs responded by tying the Falcons and then earning the win over Dirigo.

“It feels amazing,” said McFarren. “Losing our whole year is lousy.”

Dirigo was ranked sixth in the lastest Western C standings. With only unbeaten Mt. Abram left on their schedule, the Cougars were hoping for more Heal Points to bolster their standing.

“We’re a better team than the last several games have shown,” said Dirigo coach Art Chamberlin. “I don’t know what it is.”

Monmouth came out hard from the start Monday and pressured the Dirigo defense. With 25:11 left in the half, the Mustangs hit paydirt. Brittany Weymouth won the ball in the left corner and crossed it to the middle. McFarren was there for the redirection.

“Brittany crossed it over,” said McFarren. “I honestly didn’t know where the goal was. I was just hoping it would go in.”

McFarren usually plays on the wing, but Trafton decided to move her to the middle for this game.

“On that ball, she did just what she was supposed to do,” said Trafton. “It was a little flick, and there it was. She does have good footwork.”

It was the first time the Mustangs have taken the lead all season.

“I just think it gave us that much more energy,” said Neal. “Knowing we were ahead, it helped us work that much harder.”

Dirigo picked up the pace, but the Mustangs had another bid late in the half when Suzi Chick put a shot over the net off a dead ball.

The Cougars tried to rally in the second half, but the Mustangs’ defense didn’t allow Dirigo to get momentum.

Monmouth also had to play the entire second half without starting defender Katy Wiederhorn. The sophomore was wearing a protective mask to cover a broken nose. When Monmouth couldn’t produce documentation allowing her to wear it in the game, the rules stated she could not play.

“We just tried to beat them to the ball and tried not to let them get the ball,” said Neal. “If they don’t have the ball, we don’t have any worries.”

The Cougars best opportunities came down the middle or off dead balls. Kym Dolloff put a shot wide off a Kristen Harvey corner kick. Jane Hebert had a shot saved by Monmouth keeper Kelsie Hilton after a Harvey free kick set up the shot. Harvey nailed another dead ball shot that Hilton caught.

“They just can’t seem to sustain the pressure,” said Chamberlin. “That’s the way it’s been. Our scoring numbers are low, but nobody’s scored a lot of goals on us.”