Falcon stickers down Cougars, 2-0

DIXFIELD -- There's always space for improvement and the Mountain Valley field hockey team is still tweaking its lineup in an effort to receive maximum efforts from the student-athletes.

Seniors Nicole Burgess and Payton Provencher each scored a goal late in a half as the Lady Falcons triumphed 2-0 against rival Dirigo last Wednesday at sunny Harlow Park.

Mountain Valley certainly couldn’t afford to take Dirigo lightly as they have experienced a new found competitiveness. The Lady Cougars jumped out to their best start in eons and for a majority of the first half the Lady Cougars held their own.

“I was busy watching our front line,” said Mountain Valley coach Melissa Forbes. “We've been moving players around and positioning is so important. Payton was moved inside beside Nicole, and she has been out at a wing for three years. It's just one of the adjustments.”

On several Falcon rushes, it was the Cougars defense, sweeper Megan Brann and fullbacks Brittney Ellis, Lexi Noyes and Grace Hebert, who stayed busy. MV's pressure eventually highlighted, freshman Alexys Duguay started in on the right, passed to Burgess who continued dribbling in and Dirigo goalie Amanda Dolloff (11 saves) made a kick save, but the ball bounced over to Provencher who had positioned herself in front. The forward lifted a shot in to the cage with 5:57 left to play in the first half.

“We knew coming in that Dirigo would be tough,” said Provencher, who pointed out several positives in the Falcons performance. “We've got a good defense and the midfielders (support).”

Dirigo’s forward line -- Brittany LaPointe, Kate Boney and Erin Lueders pressured the offensive circle. But it was MV FB's Makenzie Gallant and Addy Gorham and SW Erin Hall, who aided goalie Venessa Sweat (two saves).

The Falcons dominated the second half. Burgess scored on a drive through the middle with 5:54 left to play.

“We played well in the first half," said Dirigo coach Gretchen Errington. “We lost our intensity and came out flat. It's been that way this season, including two overtimes, the team needs to be able to play hard an entire game.”

Dirigo honors former player Dani Ranger with a plaque that is placed at the field for home games. Ranger, who passed away in an automobile accident last fall, has been named an honorary captain.