BANGOR – The Bangor High School girls soccer team had scored just one goal in its first two games and found itself staring at an 0-2 record entering Saturday afternoon’s game against visiting archrival Brewer.

But coach Larry Smith switched his team from a 4-4-2 to a more offensive-minded 4-3-3 alignment and the Rams were able to capitalize on Brewer’s inexperience to carve out a much-needed 7-0 triumph.

Both teams are now 1-2.

Senior strikers Amy Hackett and Casey Hartley teamed up on the first two goals just 7:47 into the game and another senior striker, Izzy Higgins, gave the Rams a comfortable 4-0 cushion with goals 5:55 apart late in the first half. It was the first two-goal game of Higgins’ career.

Kim Jordan, Kate Dana and Samantha Besse added second-half goals as Bangor wound up outshooting the Witches 34-10.

“We’ve had a hard time putting the ball in the back of the net but things are starting to click,” said Hackett, who had two assists to go with her game-opening goal.

Hackett’s goal came off a give-and-go with Hartley that sent Hackett in alone on Brewer goalie Carolyn Tuck.

Hackett calmly placed the ball inside the far post to the right of the on-rushing Tuck.

“Casey and I have played together a long time. We can find each other easily. The give-and-go really works well for us,” said Hackett.

Hartley’s goal was actually a curling cross from beyond the corner of the penalty area. Hackett touched the ball back to her.

“It was kind of a cross. I thought it was going to go long onto the [practice] football field. But, I guess, sometimes you get lucky,” said Hartley.

Moments later, Hartley sent Hackett in alone again but Tuck alertly scrambled out and smothered the shot.

Brewer then strung together 15 minutes of impressive soccer as the Witches kept the ball in the attacking third and generated three quality scoring attempts.

But all three missed the net.

Higgins made it 3-0 with 12:57 left in the half by capitalizing on the rebound of a Denila Graham shot that bounced to her off the crossbar.

Higgins flicked the ball in the air and it sliced into the net behind the helpless Tuck.

“I just followed the shot and I guess it went in,” said Higgins.

Her next goal came off a well-placed diagonal ball from Graham.

Higgins struck a picture-perfect half-volley from the right side of the penalty area that sailed over Tuck’s head into the upper far corner.

“The third and fourth goals put them away,” said Hackett.

Jordan’s goal just 54 seconds into the second half was a gem as she made a run to the near post and volleyed a hard, thigh-high cross from Hackett into the short side.

Besides Hackett, Graham also had two assists with Hartley, Erica Tweedie and Dana collecting one apiece.

Kortnie Hudgens made one save for Bangor with Tuck finishing with 10 saves.

“We played well at times but we’re inexperienced and that’s a quality team we played,” said Brewer coach Bill Schwarz.

“They’ve got some talented players. That’s for sure,” said Tuck.

JV: Bangor 13-1