Falcon girls put it together in win

RUMFORD -- Coach Jason Perreault wishes he could put a finger on why the Mountain Valley girls’ soccer team has experienced such shortcomings this season. However, his thoughts weren't necessary Thursday when the Lady Falcons didn't let up and proved to be prepared to play the entire 80 minutes.

Kaitlyn Virgin and Taylor Smart each scored two goals to highlight a strong offense, as MV received contributions from everyone en route to a 5-1 win against Boothbay in a game at Chet Bulger Field.

The bright sunshine engulfed the field on the fall day and it was MV that applied pressure from the get go and it paid off. Virgin was set up on the left side and booted a high-arching shot just under the cross bar only 70 seconds into the game.

“That score was big for us,” said Perreault, because Mountain Valley have struggled to find the right chemistry. “It was early and I heard the entire bench became more vocal. The offense produced some great crossing passes. Plus I was able to use all 22 kids on the roster and keep fresh legs out there.”

Perreault added that a key has been switching to two forwards and their ability to rotate back, then gain possession and advance through balls. Falcon Shannon Laubauskas was stone on, but the ball remained in zone and Brenna Brown crossed a pass that Smart kicked a low shot into the far corner past Seahawks goalie Kayla Fitchberg at 19:18.

''We came into the game really wanting a win,'' said Virgin, who completed the scoring off a Stephanie Cushman pass with 1:37 left in the game. ''It was a great team effort; we worked well together.''

Sarah Klein rushed in on right and booted a kick into the far corner to give MV a 3-0 lead at halftime.

Falcon goalie Jenna Ploude was aided by sweeper Autumn Koch and fullbacks Abby Day and Darbi Brown. Boothbay had been denied a shot until Sarah Durgin scored on a rush with 7:20 left.

“Our communication on the field was good today,” said Virgin. "We wasn't doing that enough in past games, but our play was stronger.”