RUMFORD — Mountain Valley continued in the right direction in a MVC girls’ soccer game Thursday night.
The Falcons controlled the action and seemingly shot at will, led by Taylor Henry and Ashley Russell, who each scored goals in the first half, and strong passing was key in a 4-0 triumph against Boothbay under the lights at Chet Bulger Field.
Senior Abby Mazza added two goals in the second half as the Falcons maintained a torrid pace.
Mountain Valley (5-5) has won three of four games, but was coming off a 6-1 loss to Oak Hill on Tuesday.
In Thursday’s victory, Falcons goalie Lauren Sterling made several saves from point-blank range and received plenty of support as fullbacks Brooke Carver, Kylee Pelletier and freshman Saydie Garbarini cleared the zone.
“We controlled the middle,” MV coach Lynn Gould said. “We also made some adjustments in the field and they worked out. Our passing really helped and we were able to move the ball.”
Mountain Valley seized the momentum early with midfielders Russell, Mazza and Grace Briggs and Emily Laubauskas consistently securing loose balls and feeding the offense. This led to the initial goal, 14 minutes and 7 seconds into the first half. Julia Perry broke free and advanced it, and Smart sprinted in and beat Boothbay goalie Hannah Cola.
“It was wicked important for us to score first,” Laubauskas said. “Then we were able to keep moving the ball around and put the pressure on them.”
The strategy led to another score with 5 minutes remaining in the first half. Laubauskas centered a ball and it bounced off Seahawks defender Olivia Perry. Russell swiftly moved in and drilled a 30-yard shot just inside the right post.
Boothbay (2-7), ranked 13th in Class C South Heal Points, applied pressure on the Falcons’ defense as Annie Bryer and Angie Perkins fired off shots. This allowed Sterling to stay back in the crease and cradle the balls. She finished with 11 saves.
The second half began similarly, with Mountain Valley in control. Mazza intercepted an attempted clearing on the right side and booted the ball just inside the right post, 4:51 after the break.
Less than one minute later, Mazza received a pass from Perry and drilled it past Cola.
“This win was important for us,” Mazza said. “We need them all coming up to stay on top of things.”
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