LIVERMORE FALLS – A fast start by Livermore Falls apparently gave the Andies the edge in a Mountain Valley Conference field hockey game on a sunny Monday afternoon.

Junior Erica Gats scored a career-high four goals and Taryn Flagg added one goal and three assists as the Andies cruised to a 7-2 win against Jay.

Livermore Falls (3-1) was simply overpowering in every aspect of the game en route to posting its most lopsided score against its stunned arch-rivals.

A trio of unanswered goals extended Livermore Falls lead to 5-1 and it served to send a message to the Tigers. Gats scored on a crossing pass from Flagg at 20:02 of the second half and then scored unassisted to make it 5-1.

“We’re playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Gats said.

The major blow was a penalty stroke by Flagg that skipped by the left-leg pad of Jay goalie Kaylie DiMillo (15 saves).

“We knew that we needed to play well,” Flagg said. “Jay has a good offense, but once we scored our fourth goal, (team) knew that we would win. We’re really coming together.”

Jay (1-3) seemingly jumped back in to things when Ashley Uhuad scored on the left wing 6:45 in to the second half. The Tigers had been pressuring Andies goalie Sam Whiting (eight saves), but failed to seize the momentum.

“It wasn’t us out there today,” Jay coach Sandy Nemi said. “There were no keys for us. I don’t think the team came to play today. We just were beat by a better team because Livermore Falls worked hard, and unlike us, they went after the ball.”

Livermore Falls took a 2-0 lead in the first half on goals by Ashley McDaniel and Gats. The Andies forced Jay sweeper Sara Fetterhoff deep in to the circle and McDaniel converted a pass from Flagg 4:56 in to the game. The Andies maintained the pressure and Gats poked in Flagg’s pass with five minutes left in the half.

“On offense, I just told them to bring the ball up on the outside,” Livermore Falls coach Julia Parker said. “I think the girls were more focused today. Jenika (Kelley) was the difference on defense; she really stepped forward to intercept some balls.”

Jay senior Jaclyn Lautz scored, but the Andies’ Valen Richard and Gats completed the final tally.