Cougar girls dominate Ramblers

DIXFIELD -- When everyone is on the same page, good things happen and the Dirigo girls’ soccer team benefitted from having a cohesive unit throughout their homecoming Mountain Valley Conference tilt on Saturday morning.

The Lady Cougars maintained control throughout the action in a convincing 5-0 over Winthrop at misty Harlow Park.

Forwards Natalie Bolduc scored two goals in the first half, while Lindsy Crutchfield, Kayla Gaudin and Celine Bolduc each tallied in the second half. Dirigo had started with offensive pressure and N. Bolduc beat the defense, from Michelle Morrison at 36:30.

The Cougars continued to dominate the play, but Winthrop goalie Danielle Pease (20 saves) held firm until N. Bolduc converted a pass from Sabrina Daoud with 2:54 left in first half.

"The team played pretty well," said Bolduc, who has 17 goals this season. "In the second half, we tried having three up front and it worked well with crossing passes."

Dirigo advanced balls into the corner and Crutchfield drilled home a Morrison pass at 17:13.

The midfielders corralled loose balls, with Gaudin, Megan Bradbury, Destiny Newton, Morrison and Daoud.

The defense prevented the Ramblers from rushes, with stopper Ambyr Wilson, Gretchen Bradbury (B), Bryce Parent, Sam Morse and Gabby Scott.

Winthrop's best chhance came when Emma Conrad's shot hit the cross bar.

"I guess we can control our attitudes," Dirigo goalie Natasha Deroche said, who had two saves to preserve the shutout. "We still need to communicate with each other and mark up."

Gaudin and Celine Bolduc each scored in the last seven minutes.

"We are doing okay; we're pretty beat up,” said Dirigo coach Art Chamberlin. "We've had eight games since August 31 and four practice days. No wonder we are beat up. Ambyr (Wilson ) and Kayla are both hurting. Mackenzie Lord is out with a possible concussion. Several others nursing injuries. An objective is to get more players involved in the scoring. We have been trying different combinations to get more support for the forwards and still be sound in the back."

Cougars dominate Photo: Picasa

The Cougars' Natalie Bolduc, who already has 17 goals this season, is seen scoring the first of her two goals Saturday against Winthrop. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)

Cougars dominate Photo: Picasa

Kayla Gaudin of Dirigo moves the ball down the field. She score a goal in the second half of the Cougars' 5-0 win over Winthrop. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)