Moving Paige Myers to the forward role to support Jamilet Medina-Lucas paid off for coach Haley Schafer and the Bulldogs.

Midway through Monday night’s game at Moberly, Myers became a serious threat as she closed in from the right wing. Her action drew Spartans goalkeeper Laine Ross from the box.

Myers countered by driving a neat pass across the front of the goal where Medina-Lucas was lurking.

“Paige found me, the goal was open and I shot,” Medina-Lucas said.

The score gave Mexico a 1-0 advantage that held up the rest of the way. For the first time this season, the Bulldogs brought home a win.

It was not the team’s first goal on the year. But this one seemed to spur the Bulldogs. Goalkeeper Tessa Haefling made eight saves in the first half, but had little to do in the second as the defense clamped down and midfielders held possession.

“It felt like something turned on,” explained Katie Gooch.

Gooch became a scourge for the home side, keeping the ball going forward, linking with other midfielders on the attack and slowing Moberly’s forwards when they tried to counter.

The stout defense and time of possession on offense helped Haefling keep her first clean sheet.

“I was expecting more pressure,” said the feisty Mexico keeper, who has often endured a barrage of shots on target. “It was nice to have the defense take the pressure off.”

The first win confirms the improvements the squad has been making throughout the season. The 1-16 mark does not reflect the progress.

But it may aid the team going forward.

“After Moberly we have more confidence,” Gooch pointed out.