DIXFIELD – They were even on paper, but St. Dom’s proved superior on the field Friday in a Western Class C girls’ soccer preliminary-round playoff game.

Four different players scored goals, including Ali Desjardin with the eventual game-winner, to lead No. 9 St. Dom’s to a 4-1 triumph over No. 8 Dirigo at Harlow Park.

The teams finished tied for eighth in the final Heal Points standings, with Dirigo earning homefield advantage by winning a coin flip.

“We had a balanced attack,” Saints coach Kathy Little said. “Everyone (contributed) so it wasn’t just a few who stood out. Four different players scored goals and the defense stepped up and did the job. They played their style by moving off the ball.”

St. Dom’s (6-8-1) advances to play top-ranked and unbeaten Mt. Abram in Tuesday’s quarterfinal. Dirigo lost in overtime to the Roadrunners in the regular-season finale.

With the game tied 1-1, the Saints took advantage of their passing skills to open the second half and marched down the field. Desjardin controlled the ball near the left post and beat Cougars senior goalie Lanette Bryant at 30:23. Just 1:46 later, St. Dom’s broke through again on a beautiful goal by Stephanie Costello, who converted a pass from Megan Poulin.

“There was definitely a momentum change in the second half,” Desjardin said. “Everyone picked it up and played hard.”

Dirigo (4-8-1) went into intermission on a high note after picking up the pace over the final 10 minutes of the first half. The intensity level paid off when Lindsay Brann scored on a 6-yard kick that eluded Saints goalie Elise Applegate (11 saves) with 2:46 to go.

The Cougars opened their offense up by spreading the field, and on a corner, center-halfback Kristen Harvey kicked the ball into the crease.

“I had seen some scores from the Western Maine Conference,” Dirigo coach Art Chamberlin said. “I knew St. Dom’s would come in battle tested. So, we needed an early goal and hopefully get them back on defense.”

The tide shifted and St. Dom’s regained the flow behind some nifty one-touch passes. The midfielders controlled the ball and defenders Melissa Bourgoin and freshman Becky Trytek prevented breakaways throughout the game.

Dirigo used different players on the front line, including Emily Chase, Jane Hebert, Tia Dakin, Jazmine Brooks, Erin Turner, Brann and Rachel Child. At one point, freshman Paige Murphy broke toward the goal and forced Applegate to rush out and smother the ball.

St. Dom’s took a 1-0 lead when Erynne Landry set up Sophie Goulet 10:50 into the game. Landry completed the scoring midway through the second half.

“We were running through the ball,” Landry said. “That helped the offense, plus the communication between us was good.”