WINTHROP — Mt. Abram created enough offense Wednesday night to defeat Winthrop 3-0 in a Mountain Valley Conference boys soccer contest.

“We know we have a lot of improvement but this is a really good start, and our defense is very strong,” Mt. Abram’s Chase Ross said. “Our offense, we have to work on some stuff, but it’s a great win and we want to keep it going against Hall-Dale next game.”

The Roadrunners scored early in the opening half and twice more in the second half.

Ross had the first goal early in the first half, booting a low shot that found the back of the net in the third minute.

“I saw a lot of open space, but I hit it with my left (foot) and it found its way in,” Ross said.

Mt Abram coach Jason Wing said the defending Class C state champions tried to do too much early on.

“I think we scored the first goal and we got too comfortable, and we started with too many touches instead of keeping it simple,” Wing said.

Meanwhile, Winthrop coach John Baehr wants the Ramblers to not be afraid to challenge their opponents going forward.

“Yeah, we’ve just got to do a better job at it,” Baehr said. “You know, playing head balls and getting up in there and being physical.”

Mt. Abram (4-1) peppered Winthrop goalie Jaxon August in the first half, but August made a handful diving saves throughout the opening half.

The Ramblers (1-3-2) started to the moving ball in the offensive zone late in the half, and even had two corners, but they weren’t able to turn them into points.

The Roadrunners tried to have another fast start in the second half but August (18 saves) made a leaping save.

“Jaxon, he made a lot of great saves today,” Wing said. “He was phenomenal in between the posts today.”

Ash Rollins broke through and scored in the seventh minute to give Mt. Abram a 2-0 lead.

“He put a nice strike on that one,” Wing said.

Wyatt Gran had one of the few second-half opportunities for Winthrop when he got behind Mt. Abram’s defense in the 25th minute, but his long shot was saved by Roadrunners goalie Logan Dube (four saves).

Brennan Mitchell added the third Mt. Abram goal late in game, scoring in the 18-yard box after a corner.

Baehr said August played well but needs help in front of him in situations like the Roadrunners’ third goal.

“Yeah, I mean, Jaxson, I think, is one of the top goalies in our league,” Baehr said. “And, you know, maybe in Class C. So, I mean, he did what he was supposed to do tonight. You know, when they shoot the ball from the three, it’s tough to save.”