LISBON — Monmouth and Lisbon both showed up for a 9 a.m. Saturday boys’ soccer showdown wondering how they would answer the bell against a top-flight MVC opponent.

The answer was a ringing endorsement for both sides.

Mason Clement’s two late goals from Hunter Richardson gave Monmouth its fifth consecutive victory, 3-1, and knocked Lisbon from the unbeaten ranks.

Not before the Greyhounds (5-1) held up nicely under the stigma of seeing a 270-minute shutout streak come to an end, however.

“We’ve only seen maybe three shots a game. We haven’t had a goal scored on us, so how would we react? We scored one, and then they scored one and I thought we reacted well. They’re a little deeper than us, that’s all,” Lisbon coach Dan Sylvester said. “I thought both teams played very well today. I can’t take anything away from what they did or what we did.”

Clement, one of nine Monmouth seniors, took advantage of sophomore Richardson’s creativity and connected twice in the final 13:34.

Lisbon goalkeeper Ryley Austin slapped down Richardson’s point-blank bid in the box, but Clement’s follow-up put the Mustangs (5-1) in front.

Later, Richardson — who was a point of emphasis for Lisbon’s defense all morning — pushed the ball toward the flag in the far right corner and rifled a centering pass. Clement put it away with 4:51 to go.

“We kept it on the ground most of the time, which worked out well for us, and crossed it into the box. Mason had two right up the middle,” Richardson said. “I’m always looking for someone in the middle, and he was there both times.”

Kasey Smith made eight saves for Monmouth, allowing only Austin Fournier’s goal at the end of a 3-on-2 with 16 minutes remaining in the first half.

Jonah Sautter registered the assist.

The Mustangs finally removed the zero from the Greyhounds’ goals-allowed column when freshman Avery Pomerleau pulled his team even late in the first half.

Austin (14 saves) knocked down a direct kick before Pomerleau lofted the redirection just underneath the crossbar. Chandler Harris assisted.

After that dead-ball success, Monmouth’s live-ball proficiency improved.

“Our passing game was working well and our touches on the ball were good,” Monmouth coach Joe Fletcher said. “We had opportunities throughout the game. We didn’t make any major adjustments. We just talked about making sure that we have a good first touch and move the ball quicker.”

Austin made a diving denial of Pomerleau to preserve the deadlock early in the second half.

Smith was equal to the task in a taking care of Lisbon’s long-range bids, although those opportunities slowed to a trickle as the second half progressed.

“I thought we played well throughout the game,” Sylvester said. “We just had two mistakes where we were ball-watching, and they finished them. That hurt us, and I think it’s where our inexperience comes through.”

Fournier, Sautter, Austin Bedford and Troy Galarneau were strong in the midfield against Richardson, who has succeeded Fletcher’s son, Kyle, as the Mustangs’ go-to presence.

“He usually gets double-marked,” Clement said.

Fortunately for the Mustangs, there is no shortage of options.

“We’re a work in progress, but we’re deep,” Fletcher said. “We’re a senior-laden team, and Mason and Hunter lead us.”

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