DIXFIELD — Once things begin clicking, it’s difficult to hold the reins back on the Monmouth Academy boys’ soccer team.

The Mustangs moved the ball around well and used their strong passing game to near perfection as senior Gage Cote scored four goals — including a hat trick in the first half — en route to 10-1 triumph against Dirigo on another balmy night under the lights at Harlow Park, extending their win streak to five games.

Monmouth (5-1) opened up the floodgates, scoring seven goals in the second half, two by Avery Pomerleau, and Hunter Richardson added three assists. The Mustangs. lone blemish this season was a 2-1 setback to Mountain Valley in the season opener.

For Dirigo, it was deja-vu. Twenty-four hours earlier, they had suffered a 7-0 loss to Mountain Valley.

The constant pressure applied by the Mustangs simply overwhelmed Dirigo goalie Jeremy Grignon and defenders Keenan Martin, Griffyn Smith, Wesley Libby and Justin Cantin.

“We spread the field,” Cote said. “That allowed us to cross the ball and we kept our heads up.”

Monmouth scored two goals in 51 seconds, with Cote finishing. A free kick by Chandler Harris from 35 yards, bounced off Grignon and Cote drilled the ball into the back of the net. The Mustangs quickly regained possession and Richardson centered a high cross that Cote headed in at 32:41.

Dirigo coach Dave Buck immediately screamed out to switch the defense to a diamond. The strategy allowed the Cougars to regroup and execute several scoring chances. Colton Woods set-up Seth Child, but the ball sailed wide right. Child received a rebound off Monmouth goalie Bradley Neal (nine saves), however, the ball went over the crossbar.

Monmouth regained control and Cote, who was unmarked in the box, scored easily. Richardson assisted on the play with 19:15 left in the first half.

“We had come out flat against Wiscasset two days ago. I think it was a wakeup call for them,” Monmouth coach Joe Fletcher said, “because tonight they came out with a lot of energy. I preach to the kids crisp passes and when the ball (leaves foot) it better have a purpose.’

Dirigo (1-4) regrouped during halftime and Ben Buck scored on a rush down the left side. Neal had rushed out to cut down the angle, but Buck kicked into the far corner. The Cougars’ senior co-captain Randy DeRoche returned to action after spraining ankle in season opener.

Monmouth rattled off seven unanswered goals.

“We have a strong passing game,”Cote said. “Things came together for us, unlike earlier this season when we weren’t communicating with each other.”