DIXFIELD — Mountain Valley has a well-grounded combination of passing and skill distributing the ball, which were evident as the Falcons spread the wealth Wednesday night in a boys’ soccer game against rival Dirigo.

The Falcons had too many weapons, including Sonke Hanneken, who registered a hat trick, and a strong defense, and remained unbeaten by sidestepping rival Dirigo 7-0 on a balmy night under the lights at Harlow Park.

A pair goals in the latter part of the first half served to break open competitive first half. The Falcons applied constant pressure while taking advantage of the Cougars’ defense trying to help goalie Jeremy Grignon. 

“In the first half, for 20 minutes we really worked well together,” Mountain Valley coach J.T. Taylor said. “I’ve been trying to get my goalie Jacob Beauchesne (seven saves) to be part of the field, and not someone to pass the ball back to. He was getting outlet passes to start our transition game. We noticed Dirigo’s defense had six players rotating back, which opened up the midfield.”

On Mountain Valley’s initial goal, as the transition game worked perfectly. Hanneken beat Grignon in the middle with 28:33 left in the first half.

Dirigo (1-3) hung tight with shots by Seth Child, Ben Buck and Colton Woods. Noah Brown hit the cross bar and had big rushes, but was forced wide by the Falcons’ Nick Newman.

Mountain Valley (5-0) scored two goals in a 67-second span late in the first half to lead 3-0. Aleksi Pirttijoki booted a ball that Grignon saved near the right post, but it rebounded over to Hanneken, who was unmarked on the left post

Curtis Steele scored moments later.

“We have put in a new defensive scheme,” Dirigo coach Dave Buck said. “It has worked well at times. I’ve got a good group of seniors and need to get them in position where they are the most effective.”

The Cougars welcomed back Woods from a broken hand, but senior Randy DeRoche is still out from a sprained ankle from the season opener Telstar game.

In the second half, Mountain Valley midfielder Ryan Bennett and Hanneken each scored goals less than one minute apart to ice it.

Vinny DeRoche centered ball for a goal and freshman Garrett Garbarini also scored.

Taylor lauded the play of Beauchsene and defenders Dylan Knox, Dakota Arsenault, Andrew Arsenault and Jesse Pelletier.