DIXFIELD — Winthrop felt it had plenty to prove Wednesday in the Mountain Valley Conference field hockey championship game, and the Ramblers made good on their second chance against previously-unbeaten Telstar.

Senior Kelsey Ouellette lined up for a shot and let it fly on a penalty corner to score the lone goal midway through the second half as the Ramblers capped a strong defensive effort with a 1-0 victory over the Rebels at Harlow Park in Dixfield.

Winthrop had reversed Telstar’s momentum and the Ramblers earned a penalty corner. Ouellette positioned herself at the top of the circle and drilled a low shot toward Rebels goalie Sam Tibbetts (three saves). The ball went between her pads and rattled the back of the cage with 15:05 remaining.

“I hit the ball and was hoping it would go between the goalie’s legs,” Ouellette said. “I’m excited and in the second half we realized that we needed to score. We picked up the intensity and kept our sticks down.”

Telstar had gone on the offensive early with strong drives and produced several shots on goal, but the Rebels were unable to finish, due in large part to the Ramblers’ tough defense, led by Shauna Carlson, Bailey Hannum and goalie Kate Michelsen (five saves).

Telstar held the advantage in both shots (12-5) and penalty corners (17-4).

“We shifted our setup,” Winthrop coach Sharon Coulton said. “We went from a 5-4-2 to a 4-3-3. But, we practiced a lot to shut down (Telstar center forward) T.J. (Cowin) because she has given us fits. Shauna was all over and we moved the goalie over, also.”

Telstar controlled the midfield , which fed the front line for much of the game. The Rebels had several opportunities, but Amanda Wiley hit the left post, Jamie Steven was blocked and Cowin’s shots found Michelsons leg pads.

“We had our chances,” Telstar coach Gail Wight said. “The girls did every thing but score because the ball was in the circle a lot. They dominated the first half, but in the second half they committed too many infractions and didn’t keep their sticks down.”

Winthrop was unable to generate much offense most of the nigh, with Nikki Scott, Lauren Kaiser and Ouellette encountering resistance from Rebels halfback Emma Davis and sweeper Mariah Bundy.

“We are working hard,”Ouellette said. “Other teams have improved, so we know that everyone has to step up.”

The contest served as a tuneup for the teams, who are both ranked second in their respective Class C regions for the tournament, which begins Saturday. Winthrop (14-1 overall) entered the game with a little extra incentive, having lost to Telstar (14-1 overall) 5-1 in Bethel last month.