GARDINER — Freshman Olivia Ketner scored two goals, including the winner with 4:24 left in regulation to lift Gardiner to a 3-2 victory over Cony in the Tigers’ homecoming game Thursday evening at Hoch Field.

“It’s amazing,” said Gardiner senior midfielder Kaetlyn Stevens. “There was a lot of pressure (from Cony).”

The big night for Ketner, a midfielder, helped the Tigers (7-0) remain unbeaten and atop the Class B North standings.

“We’re just communicating, making good passes and good runs and always being there for each other,” Stevens said.

A strong rivalry

Though it’s only Sept. 24, the Tigers have already completed a regular-season sweep of the Rams. Gardiner also beat Cony 3-2 on Sept. 11 in Augusta.

Forward Kya Douin scored twice for Cony, including on a shot from more than 30 yards away from the goal, and the Rams (2-4) gave the Tigers another battle.

“They didn’t make it easy, they’re really fun to play,” said Gardiner coach Jessica Prince. “They’re a relentless group, they don’t lose heart. It’s a really great matchup and they’re fun to play.”

Cony’s schedule to start the season has been tough. The Rams also lost to Skowhegan (4-1-1) and Erskine (5-3). Coach Michael Sweeting is encouraged by the team’s fight and its potential, which was showcased in a 5-0 win over Nokomis on Sept. 15 and a 6-2 win over Leavitt on Monday.

“There’s definitely a lot of progress. I was proud of the girls tonight,” Sweeting said. “We started a bit slow, we do have a bit of a habit of starting slow and we’re trying to break that. We gave up a couple of goals we felt we shouldn’t have. But after that, they really knuckled down and made a good effort of the game.”

Senior Charlotte Gearhart, a first-year goalkeeper, kept the Rams in the game with eight saves.

Tigers stay loose at the top of the standings

Prince is certainly proud of the Gardiner’s start, but she doesn’t want the record to overtake the team’s mindset moving forward.

“I don’t want it to be a big, looming thing over us,” Prince said. “I just want it to be one game at a time, just focusing on the next one. We just want to play loose, focus on us and play the type of soccer we want to play, and hopefully that carries us into November.”

The Tigers have six seniors this season, but its still a relatively young group after several contributors graduated last year. That has forced Prince to use freshmen, such as Ketner.

“We’re a different team and play a different style,” Prince said. “But everyone is meshing really well.”

On Thursday, the Tigers’ attack did well at getting good touches on the ball, getting creative and finding passing lanes that opened scoring opportunities.

Unsung hero

Gardiner goalie Adela Ricker had a busy night against Cony. She made 12 saves, including a diving stop in the first half and a jump-save to redirect a shot in the second half.

“She’s amazing, she’s always there,” Stevens said.

Statistical leaders

• Gardiner: Olivia Ketner (2 goals); Kaetlyn Stevens (1 goal); Lexi Dyer (1 assist); Adela Ricker (12 saves)

• Cony: Kya Douin (2 goals); Charlotte Gearhart (8 saves)