AUBURN — The Dirigo Cougars felt like they were spinning their wheels in the mud in the Mountain Valley Conference girls’ soccer championship game Thursday.

But it was Madison that found some traction and took home the hardware following a Nathalie Michaud goal late in the first half that proved to be enough as Madison beat Dirigo, 1-0. The game was played on a neutral field at St. Dominic Regional High School.

The contest featured the top two teams in Class C that had battled to a 2-2 tie last week in Dixfield.

Dirigo had plenty of opportunities, including a breakaway by Natalie Bolduc, who was broadsided and awarded a penalty kick. Bolduc squared up for the PK, but her shot at redemption was cradled by Madison goalie Savanna Kandiko with 5:59 remaining in the game.

“The team played hard,” said Dirigo coach Art Chamberlin, whose players attended a candlelight setting last night for junior Dani Ranger, who died in an automobile accident last Saturday night. “So Madison and we did have chances, but we just wasn’t able to finish. Coming out of here with a 1-0 score is nothing to be ashamed of. I’d rather lose now than (playoffs) next Tuesday.”

Madison (13-1-1) started fast and got the ball outside on the wings and generated chances with crisp crossing passes. Michaud set up Melissa White who was stopped by Cougar goalie Tasha Deroche (12 saves).

“It was important for us to get (momentum) early,” Madison coach Mike Herrick said. “That lifts the energy level and it’s easier to feed the offense. In the first half, there was a good flow and so was our intensity.”

The Bulldogs persistence paid off as Lyndsay Weese led Michaud, who went around a defender and drilled the ball in to the far corner with 11:58 left in first half.

“It all started with Lyndsay’s great pass,” Michaud said. “I dribbled to the left and (Deroche) came out. I know there was a lot of pressure there. We supported each other well today.’’

Paige Murphy, Alyssa Wade and Kayla Gaudin each had shots in the final minutes, but Kandiko (16 saves) and Kristen Wood were up to the challenge.

“I had made plenty of adjustments, but obviously not the right ones,”Chamberlin said. “We’ve had success with bringing Kayla (Gauvin) up to halfback for offense, but today we had her push back on defense. The kids were just emotionally drained.”