AUBURN — There’s the ball. Go get it.

It’s the simplest element of most games, particularly soccer. And it was easier said than done on a blustery Wednesday afternoon when most players and spectators swore that the swirling wind off Lake Auburn would turn the occasional raindrops to snowflakes any second.

St. Dominic Academy’s speed and alertness showed no ill effects from autumn’s sharpening bite. The Saints won almost every early battle for a loose ball, leading to two quick goals and ultimately to a 2-1 MVC girls’ victory over Lisbon High School.

“We’re getting stronger,” St. Dom‘s junior Kayla McLellan said. “We’re working on crossing the balls and finishing.”

Tenacity and movement sparked a swift start for the Saints (8-3).

McLellan and freshman Kirsten Conner connected in a nine-minute span to weave a two-goal cushion.

Senior defender Emily Conner’s attention to detail in the midfield led to McLelllan’s goal. Conner stopped a ball near the stripe and threaded a pass through two defenders to McLellan.

“I just knew I had to get it up the line, and luckily I was able to get it to Kayla and she was able to score off it,” Conner said.

Plenty of players panic under the glare of such a gift-wrapped, one-on-one opportunity. McLellan simply took a deep breath and delivered a high shot over the head of Lisbon goalkeeper Alexa Harmon.

“That’s what we were working on in practice, composure on breakaways, so it worked,” McLellan said.

The quick response of Courtney Costello, Dayle Jordan and Emily Conner in the defensive end continued to stymie the Greyhounds (7-3-1), fueling length-of-the-field flurries for the Saints.

Sarah Trott’s slick centering pass put Kirsten Connor in position for her strike.

“That was a key the last couple games: Showing up ready to play,” St. Dom‘s coach Kathy Little said. “They were ready to play because it was senior night, the last regular-season home game, and they put two quick ones in.”

In fact, the Saints’ fervor to smother every loose ball probably cost them the Greyhounds’ lone goal.

One player from each team converged upon a 50-50 ball in front of the home bench. The St. Dom’s player then picked it up, thinking that the ball was dead and anticipating a Saints throw-in.

Neither official had blown the whistle, though, and Lisbon was awarded a free kick from that spot.

Brooke Lawrence played the wind perfectly to launch it just in front of the cage, and Renee Samay-Houle headed it past St. Dom’s keeper Mary Caron with 1:28 remaining in the half.

“They capitalized on our mistake,“ Little said. “We know better than to touch the ball when it was on the line. It was the correct call the ref made.”

But Lisbon couldn’t carry the momentum through intermission.

Much of the second half was played in the Saints’ offensive zone. St. Dom’s put a dozen shots on Harmon after the break and enjoyed an 18-10 advantage overall.

“The last five minutes we played with a lot more energy and went to the ball harder and were able to control a bit of the play. Then the second half we came out and it wasn’t quite there today for us,” Lisbon coach Jake Gentle said. “Speed-wise I don’t think they’re that much faster than us. Their reaction time was quicker than our reaction time to get to the ball. We got caught kind of watching the ball. They were anticipating better than we were today.”

St. Dom’s has slowly recovered from the loss of senior tri-captain Stephanie Costello to a knee injury in preseason.

After splitting their first four games, the Saints have won six of seven. The victory vaulted St. Dom’s over Lisbon into fourth place in Western Class C Heal Points, a distinction that would make the difference between being at home or on the road in a quarterfinal playoff game.

“That’s what we’re fighting for,” Little said.

Harmon made 13 saves for Lisbon, which has the advantage of playing its final three games at home.

“They came out on fire. They knew what was on the line. We knew what was on the line,” Gentle said. “The game came down to defensive mistakes.”

[email protected]