DIXFIELD — After numerous scoring chances, Alyssa Wade scored on Kayla Gaudin feed midway through the second half and Dirigo’s defense proved to be stout in a 3-2 triumph against Spruce Mountain in girls’ soccer.

The action-packed contest was played with heavy hearts because Dirigo was morning the passing of junior Dani Ranger, who died in an automobile accident Saturday night. There was a moment of silence for the Cougar field hockey player prior to the game.

Each team spent most of the game shuffling players in and out to try and find the right combination. Dirigo (12-2), ranked No. 1 in Class C, jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Spruce Mountain roared back to tie it up.

Dirigo was awarded a corner and Gaudin secured the ball, tapped it over to Wade, who booted the ball past Spruce Mountain goalie Emily Keene (15 saves) in the right corner with 23:22 left.

“We just knew we had to do it for Dani,” Wade said. “It all started with a perfect centering kick by Natalie (Bolduc) and Kayla unselfishly kicked it over to me.”

 Spruce Mountain relied on Alexi Deering’s speed and footwork. Deering broke in alone and took seven of the team’s nine shots in first half. Deering was hauled down on one of the breaks and was awarded a penalty kick. She buzzed it past Cougar goalie Tasha Deroche (10 saves) with 3:55 left in first half.

Spruce Mountain maintained the pressure to start the second half and scored when Deering tapped the ball that eluded Deroche to tie the game. Amia Pelletier sent in a free kick from 35 yards to set up Deering.

“The intensity level was there the entire game,” Dirigo coach Art Chamberlin said. “We had plenty of opportunities, but we just didn’t finish. Deering got loose from Ambyr (Wilson) a couple times in first half, so I pulled a halfback back and it prevented her from getting open passes in second half.”

The Cougars’ pressure in the offensive zone created several scoring opportunities in the first half. Bolduc, Wade, Addy Fuller and Miranda Shurtleff had shots on Keene.

Dirigo flooded the zone and Bolduc sidestepped a defender and scored 11 minutes into the game. Two minutes later, Shurtleff was on the door step and she booted the ball into the net for a 2-0 advantage.