By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

FARMINGTON – The Mt. Blue girls soccer team faced a huge task Tuesday, but for 40 minutes, the Cougars stayed competitive with unbeaten Waterville.

They eventually wilted in the second half under the Panthers’ constant barrage. Two goals four minutes apart in the second half broke the game open and sent Waterville to a 4-0 victory.

The game started with the Mt. Blue defense backpedaling in front of goalie Caitlin Scott, but the ball was kicked outside several times. Fullbacks Amanda Laney and Leigh Ronald, along with halfbacks Tess Perry and Sabrina Keach helped neutralize Waterville’s speed.

The half ended with the Panthers leading 1-0 after senior tri-captain Chelsey Cook set up Brittney Gardiner for the goal with six minutes, 31 seconds left.

“There were stretches that I thought we played well,” Cougar coach Dave Ronald said. “That showed during the first half, but we was not consistent enough over the last 40 minutes. The Waterville forwards were quick, and they went after the ball.”

Waterville (8-0-1), ranked No. 2 in Eastern Class A, maintained pressure and it eventually paid off. A pair of goals, four minutes apart in the second half proved to be enough. Cook scored on a crossing pass by Paige Gardiner less that eight minutes into the second half. On the next goal, Paige Gardiner used her left foot to boot the ball past Scott (eight saves).

“We played tight up front,” Waterville coach Rick Jones said. “Our horizontal passing worked well, and we worked a lot on (controlling) the ball. In the first half, we were not moving to the ball quick enough.”

Mt. Blue (3-3-2) had scoring bids from Abby Martin, a header by Xena Colby and a free kick by Rebecca Schoen. Freshman goalie Taylor Hart made five saves for Waterville.

Kelley Saucier scored the final goal, redirecting a shot from Kaitlin Rodrigue.

Waterville enjoyed a 14-6 advantage in shots and 7-2 in corner kicks.

“The Waterville forwards did a good job at stopping and turning with the ball,” coach Roland said. “On defense, we needed to stay marked up, and our offense needed to stop the ball and not over run it.”