RUMFORD — For Ellie Wainwright, time was of the essence in a field hockey game Monday.

The senior midfielder scored two goals with blistering shots and Morgan Morrow supplied solid goaltending as Dirigo claimed a 3-1 triumph to sweep the season series against Mountain Valley at drizzling Hosmer Field.

The contest between the rivals was important because Dirigo was ranked ninth in Class C Heal Points and Mountain Valley was No. 5.

“The season is winding down and it’s kind of sad,” Wainwright said. “I’m a senior and really want to play my best game, regardless of the opponent and the team feels the same way.”

Dirigo (3-6-1) broke a tie by scoring two goals in a 31-second span late in the first half. Kelsey Hutchins advanced the ball into the circle and Emma Lueders directed the eventual winning goal past Falcon goalie Kassie Thibodeau (10 saves) with 1:53 left in the first half. Dirigo regained ball control again and Wainwright scored on a Lueders assist. It was Lueders who scored two goals in the Cougars 2-0 win against Mountain Valley several days ago in Dixfield.

“That was really important,” Wainwright said. “We don’t do too well playing catch-up, so we wanted to score first and keep the pressure on.”

Mountain Valley (4-5-1) had its own objectives and forced the issue following a timeout. Midfielder Lexy Duguay advanced the ball into the circle and Marissa Crosby backhanded a shot on goal. Alivia Lee retrieved the rebound and poked the ball past Morrow (eight saves) with 3:28 left in the first half.

The Falcons forced the issue in the second half, but several shots failed to find the mark. Duguay set-up Chelsea Allison and Duguay’s slap shots sailed wide right.

“We tried to keep the ball moving and tire Dirigo out,”MV coach Melissa Forbes said. “I had yelled at them during halftime and told them to be more aggressive and to go strong after the ball. We expected more from them. We certainly had our chances.”

The Dirigo defense had a say with Katelyn Radcliffe and Haley Turner, plus a key was the solid effort turned in by Morrow who ranged way in to the circle.

The Cougars had drawn first blood when Wainwright scored, 9:26 in to the game. The play had resulted after the Cougars had flooded the offensive zone and Desirae Tracy-Rackliff fired a crossing pass.

“(Assistant coach) Ellen (Wainwright) and I could tell the girls want to win,” Dirigo coach Gretchen Errington said. ”When the girls stepped on the field, we can tell by their demeanor. In our prior game, we lost 3-0 to Oak Hill and they had beat us 7-1 the first game. So, when the team is focused and steps it up, we can play with any one.”