WATERVILLE — For much of the regular season the boys’ soccer teams from Dirigo and St. Dom’s appeared to be on a collision course.

What the Mountain Valley Conference regular season schedule couldn’t provide, the league championship game did Wednesday. The two unbeaten squads, ranked first and second in the final Western C standings, finally got to see how they matched up. The long-awaited showdown between to the top MVC teams was settled in a span of just over three minutes. The Saints scored twice early in the game and barely looked back in a 3-0 win.

In its first year in the MVC, the Saints have gone 14-0, earned the top seed in Western C and now have a conference title.

“Being our first year in the league, it’s special, but it’s not our main goal of the year,” said junior forward Alex Parker, who was on the St. Dom’s club that was eliminated by Waynflete in last year’s semifinal.

Trevar Haefele and Parker had goals in a span of 3:08 early in the game. Jack Erickson added a goal in the second half and finished with two assists.

“It was key but then we just sat back on our laurels and didn’t create a lot of pressure,” said St. Dom’s coach Matt Erickson. “But it was key to get those early goals.”

While the Saints have a playoff-seasoned team, the Cougars, ranked second in Western C at 12-0-2, had only a few players that had participated in a playoff game. With North Yarmouth Academy on their quarterfinal docket next week, the MVC game was an important test for Dirigo.

“There were a lot of nerves out there,” said Dirigo coach Dennis Hanson. “That’s a good part of the MVC championship game. You get the younger guys out on the field and playing on that big stage.”

St. Dom’s was expected to fare well in the MVC this fall after leaving the soccer-rich Western Maine Conference. The Saints fluid style of play has always been a challenge for MVC foes to face at tourney time, especially when MVC clubs are accustomed to the kick-and-run style. The Saints have outscored MVC clubs 79-9 this year, but the Cougars had some balance up front and a formidable defense that posed a test for the Saints.

“(MVC teams) tend to play the ball over the top to a fast athletic player but our defenders know how to defend against that,” said Erickson. “We handled it well.”

The first goal came at 5:49 when Erickson produced a shot from the left side. Dirigo keeper Caleb Turner made the save but Haefele was there for the rebound.

“Jack got it and made his way down to the corner,” said Haefele. “He cut in and took the shot. It bounced to me, and I put it in.”

Before the Cougars could regroup after that goal, the Saints struck again. Parker had a bid from the left wing for the 2-0 lead.

“I was on the left side and saw the right side of the net open,” said Parker. “I hit the low corner.”

In the second half, the Cougars started to even play out a little more and created better chances. Dirigo had a low shot by Gates off a dead ball that was saved by Nick Brigham, and the keeper saved a Cliff Turner shot from the right corner.

“The second half we came out a lot better,” said Hanson. “We were more on our toes. We adjusted to what they were doing. We were actually taking control of the field and moving the ball around the field.”

Erickson made it 3-0 with 9:57 left. He dribbled along the end line from the left side and put a shot inside the post.