DIXFIELD – Dirigo girls’ soccer coach Art Chamberlin knew his team was in for a rough ride in this Mountain Valley Conference tilt Thursday at sunny Harlow Park.

But the Cougars proved to be up for the challenge despite two, five-minute overtimes in a game that ended in a 1-1 stalemate with Wiscasset. Each team had ample opportunities to score, but numerous players stepped up to make outstanding plays.

It was an important game for various reasons: Dirigo (9-0-2) was ranked No. 1 and Wiscasset No. 3 in Heal Points. The outcome also weighed heavily in the MVC standings between the teams.

“I was very pleased,” Chamberlin said. “We played at a high level of intensity throughout regulation. Then in the two overtimes, we were able to play at a higher level. We had two shots on goal and they had none.”

The Cougars’ Brooke Weston and Danielle Glover each booted open shots, but Wiscasset goalie Sheena Pinkham (14 saves) cradled the balls. A Dirigo rush had resulted in a potential goal, but an off-side call negated the play.

Dirigo adjusted its lineup in the second OT by dropping back one midfielder into the back field. It was a gamble the could have weakened the offense, but the Cougars still controlled the play.

“It’s a (catch-22) situation,” Chamberlin said. “Because you’re darned if you do and darned if you don’t. Megan Russell was in the middle of it, but still you have to credit our defense.”

Melissa Harvey scored the equalizer, with a high shot in to the left corner of the goal. Alexa Kaubris and Weston started the play 11 minutes into the second half.

The Cougars’ rotating defense with Jen Harvey, Deidra Gilbert, Mallory Child and Melissa Porter stepped up to prevent the Redskin forwards from rushing in to the offensive circle.

Dirigo goalie C.C. Chow made 10 saves, including three in succession.

A similar situation resulted on the opposite end as Wiscasset defenders Samantha Divece and McKenzie Smith thwarted the Cougars’ Katie Hutchinson.

“Dirigo is a good team,” Wiscasset coach Bob Leon said. “They go to the ball hard. In the second half, their defense was sagging, so we tried bringing the ball up on the wings and it created some opportunities. We just couldn’t put one in.”

Wiscasset opened the scoring on an unassisted goal by Mary Ellen Buck 2:09 into the game.