The play went back and forth, and each team had its share of opportunities, but neither was able to crack through as the Ramblers and Falcons battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

Winthrop goalie Corinna Coulton (12 saves) and Falcons counterpart Kassie Thibodeau (11 saves) proved to be the difference at the Hosmer Field Complex. 

Mountain Valley (2-3-1) flicked a switch and dominated both extra sessions with a barrage of shots by Lexy Duguay, Alivia Lee, Chelsea Allison and Marissa Crosby, who flooded the offensive zone. Duguay used a reverse-stick to rattle the cage, but game officials waved the goal off because the shot came from outside the circle and no other Falcons stick touched the ball.

“I ask a lot from my captains,” Mountain Valley coach Melissa Forbes said, regarding (junior midfielder) Maddy Kaubrys and Duguay, a sophomore forward. “I apologize to Lexy daily, but those two have the most experience and I’m hoping if the younger players see how it’s done, they will get it.”

The extra sessions are played with six players from team and the respective goalies, opening up the field and increasing the tempo.

Winthrop (2-2-2) had regrouped to control play throughout the second half of regulation. Shots by Emily Molino, Kinli Dibase and Annie Guerrette found the mark.

“The girls are working well,” Winthrop coach Jessica Merrill said. “We adjusted by having them get the ball outside and widen the field and try taking advantage of the Mountain Valley defense In the second half, the girls continued to work on centering the ball.”

In one sequence, Guerrette rushed in and shot and the rebound went to Dibiase on the left post. The Ramblers’ freshman flicked the ball airborne, but Thibodeau rotated over and batted the ball away.

“The girls wanted to finish today, which they didn’t do Monday against Hall Dale,” Merrill said. “It’s a learning experience.”

Spacing in a tight game becomes extremely important.

“We practice one-on-one drills, daily,” Forbes said. “They are told to come up and attack and pressure the ball. You can bet that we’ll be going over that in (Thursday’s) practice. The girls are improving.”

The Mountain Valley defense was solid, with Danielle Thibodeau and sophomores Brooke Carrier and Liza White all contributing.

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