WATERVILLE — Emily Smith scored her first varsity goal, lifting unbeaten Bangor to a 1-0 win over Waterville on Thursday at Webber Field in an Eastern Maine Class A girls soccer game.

Bangor (10-0-0) beat Waterville (7-2-1) in the first week of regular season, 8-0. Since that time the Panthers have raised the level of their game with postseason play looming. The Rams have allowed just five goals this season while recording six shutouts. Waterville has given up 10 with seven shutouts.

“We came to play today,” Waterville coach Ian Wilson said. “This was purely player-driven. This had nothing to do with coaching. These kids came out and showed they could play with the best teams.”

Waterville caused Bangor, the defending Eastern A champions, serious problems during the first half. The Panthers midfielders were controlling play, while the defense was poised to turn back the Rams attempts at counter attacks.

Morgan Pellerin, Hannah Jabar and Sarah Shoulta gave the Panthers the early edge, consistently winning balls in the midfield area before igniting breaks down the flanks. Waterville’s superiority in getting the first touch on balls was unmatched during the first 40 minutes.

“Any ball that was played, Waterville was right there with their nose on the ball,” Bangor coach Joe Johnson said. “That was something we addressed at halftime.”

During one of their few runs downfield, the Rams earned a corner kick on the left side. Jade Baumrind secured the ball inside the penalty area and flicked a high pass to Smith, who knocked the ball off of Waterville keeper Morgann Tortorella into the left side of the goal.

Smith’s goal came with 15:53 left in the first half, just the second shot registered by the Rams. Waterville went into halftime owning a 7-3 shot advantage with Bangor claiming a 1-0 lead.

Bangor became more active after the break, forcing the action while focusing more on winning the 50/50 balls in the middle. The Rams finished the game with a 10-7 shot advantage.

“Once we started win a few balls in the middle, we developed better opportunities,” Johnson said. “Waterville is a tough team, and they have improved a great deal.”

Waterville’s best scoring bid came just before the half when defender Lauren Massey struck a free kick from 40 yards, sending the swerving ball into the penalty area. Bangor keeper Mia Smith allowed the ball to hit the ground. The ball skipped high into the air forcing the Rams goalkeeper to push the ball over the top of the crossbar.

Smith finished the game collecting six saves, while Tortorella made three for the Panthers.