A bounce, a timely goal or a successful penalty corner in either direction have been the difference for each squad early in this campaign. On Friday, it was Dirigo that benefited from all three — and a stellar effort from Megan Morrow in the cage — as the Cougars survived in a 1-0 win over the Saints.
“I think the last three times we’ve come here, we’ve gone into overtime with them,” Dirigo coach Gretchen Errington said. “That’s all I saw when there were 31 seconds left they started to rush up the field. But, a win is a win.”
The win was the second by a 1-0 score of the season for Dirigo (2-0), while the Saints (0-2) suffered their second tough loss.
“We’ve been on this streak of losing the first six games of the year, so finally to break that streak, it’s great for us,” Morrow said.
“We’re young, and the more we play this year, hopefully we’ll get some wins, get into the playoffs and go from there.”
Soccer transplant Sabrina Daoud, for the second time in as many games this season, provided Dirigo’s only offensive output.
“She’s just relentless,” Errington said.
But the story, particularly in the second half, was Morrow. She made five saves, three from point-blank range, and used an aggressive style to stymie Saints attackers.
“They usually get really confused if I do that,” Morrow said. “It just works.”
“Again, thank God for Morgan,” Errington said. “She sees that ball well, she knows when to come out. We did work with her on recovering a bit, and that’s made a big difference.”
Morrow also got some help from her defenders.
The Saints controlled much of the play in the second half, particularly through the midfield, but they couldn’t find the back of the cage.
“We played a great game, we just have to put the ball in the net,” Kay said. “Defensively, they’re strong. It was like a playoff game out there.”
Daoud, meanwhile, scored on a set penalty corner play with 8:42 to play in the opening half.
“We practice that every day,” Errington said. “Of course we’re going to catch on to it so we have others, but that one, we work on all the time.”
Dirigo faces Lisbon in its next contest on Monday, while St. Dom’s will host Telstar.
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