RUMFORD — What a difference one year makes thanks to a senior-laden Mountain Valley boys’ soccer team that has honed its skills and is playing with purpose.

Felix  Promm scored on a one timer late in the second half and the Falcon defense held firm in a extremely competitive win 1-0 win against previously unbeaten Hale-Dale at Chet Bulger Field on Tuesday.

This was an important game because the respective teams are ranked third and fourth in Class C Heal Points. Hall-Dale (5-1) has always been a power in the MVC, and this year is no exception. But Mountain Valley (5-0-1) has produced its best start in years.

”We kept our composure,” Mountain Valley first-year coach JT Taylor said. ”We were able to come to the ball and countered Hall Dale from being able to (boot) the ball over the top of us.”

Mountain Valley got control and the ball rolled toward the right corner. Curtis Steele applied pressure and kept the play alive. Promm eventually received a pass and curled the ball past Hall-Dale goalie Brian Allen (six saves) on the short side with 8:58 remaining in the game.

”Tucker (Phelps) fed me the ball,” Promm said, as the Falcons have benefited from exchange students Gustav Gavenas (Sweden), Rasmus Soegaard (Denmark), Promm (Germany) and Eduardo Esteban (Spain). “I (squared-up) and was able to kick it with my left foot.”

”This was a big game for us,” Promm said. ”We have a lot of seniors, and a win like this is the biggest in their high school careers, so far.”

Hall Dale had produced some chances early on in the second half by moving players into the mixer (center). Nat Crocker and Ryan Sinclair each had shots, but Falcon sophomore goalie Jacob Beauchesne (11 saves) proved up to the task.

“In the second half, we had some opportunities,” said Hall-Dale coach Andy Haskell, whose Bulldogs suffered their first regular season setback since 2013. “There was not to many (quality) shots near Brian (Allen), but this was an evenly played game. I have to credit Mountain Valley because they really came to play.”

Each team received solid performances from its respective defenses. Mountain Valley sweeper Chris Bourrett, Phelps, Jared Arsenault and Gavenas. The Bulldogs countered with backs Nick Guiou, Alex Guiou, Josh Berberich and Quinn Stebbins.

”They had packed it in with eight back,”Taylor said. ”So, we had to go wide. We had some chances in the first half, but every thing was blocked.”

At one point, Beauchesne was sidelined following a collision with Sinclair. Dakota Jacques, who had started three years in goal, was immediately tested by Crocker. Beauchesne returned several minutes later and batted away a shot.

“Mountain Valley had a couple good chances in the second half,’ ‘Haskell said. ”They were opportunistic.”