Coming off a one-goal setback against Lewiston on Thursday, the Eagles found their offense Saturday morning, capturing a 9-5 win over Edward Little.

Mt. Ararat improved to 1-3, while the Red Eddies dropped to 0-4.

Mt. Ararat coach Sam Chard was pleased to see his team earn a hard-fought win after a tough 2016 start.

“The Lewiston game showed our capabilities, and today getting this one in the win column is huge for this team,” said Chard, whose Eagles visit Brunswick on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Jessica Somers’ Red Eddies showed a solid defense in front of standout goaltender Mariah Vaillancourt, who had 14 saves, but watched her offense sputter with dropped passes, turnovers and fouls.

“We are inexperienced, and have three or four starters that are brand new this year,” said Somers, whose Red Eddies host Lewiston on Tuesday at 4 p.m. “I was impressed with our defense, something we focus on in practice a lot, and our goalkeeper puts in extra hours every week, working with our boys lacrosse goaltender coach. I am proud of how well she is coming along.”

Edward Little answered three one-goal deficits in the first half. Eagles Isa Blessington, Shannon Harty and Erin Tome scored, while Grace McBride, Brooke Lever and Francesca-Beth Haines tallied for the Red Eddies.

Like EL, the Eagles suffered from turnovers and several infractions, keeping Mt. Ararat from sustaining offensive pressure.

“We have to be more disciplined. We not organizing our attack and rushing things, with one person rushing up the field and trying to score,” Chard said. “We lost some skilled players, and we are trying to make that up by not rushing things and keeping the score low.”

Mt. Ararat claimed a 4-3 halftime lead when Blessington scored unassisted late in the frame, and the Eagles used a four-goal run to open the second half to extend out to an 8-3 advantage with 10 minutes remaining.

“We have been working hard to get it,” said Mt. Ararat defender Jordan Chase, who picked up 10 ground balls and was whistled for seven fouls during her full-field efforts. “We changed our defense up and were able to get some good plays going.”

“The last couple of games Jordan has been really hustling. She is everywhere and never gives up,” said Chard.

EL didn’t quit, drawing to 8-5 on a goal each from McBride and Megan Steele.

“They played to the last minute of the game, and even with our fourth loss in a row, the kids are still in it and hungry, looking for that first win,” Somers said.

Welch’s third goal for Mt. Ararat with 4:18 left completed the scoring, with the Eagles holding a 23-11 shot advantage as well as an 11-5 edge in draw controls.

Mt. Ararat goaltender Eleanor Skinner turned away four shots. Tome led the Eagles with five points (two goals, three assists), with Blessington and Harty chipping in two goals apiece.

Lever and Haines had two-point games for EL (goal, assist), with McBride finishing with a pair of goals.

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