FARMINGTON – Mt. Ararat used a strong passing game to knock off Mt. Blue 17-4 in a schoolboy lacrosse game played during downpours and in muddy conditions Saturday at Prescott Field.

Mt. Ararat (6-4) held a 33-13 advantage in shots against the Cougars (3-7). Casey Becker and Josh Richards each had three goals for Mt. Ararat, which had 10 players score.

“We’re a pretty balanced team this year,” Mt. Ararat Coach Matt Haskell said. “We did a great job passing the ball, making it hard on the defense, especially in these conditions.”

Becker and Richards started the scoring early in a heavy rain that created quagmires in front of both goals, leaving the defense shuffling to find sufficient footing. Mt. Blue countered with goals from Matt Davis and A.J. Larrabee.

Larrabee, a long stick defender, scored on a low sling shot just inside the halfway line to make it 2-2 with 8:36 remaining in the first quarter.

“Everything was slow because of the weather, but we were both here so you’ve got to play,” Mt. Blue Coach John McDonough said. “We needed to keep our feet under us, to help us maintain position.”

After Larrabee’s goal it was all Mt. Ararat. The Eagles scored nine consecutive goals to take an 11-2 advantage at the half.

Mt. Blue defenders Colten Miranda, Larrabee, Nick Luker and Steve Lilley worked extremely hard to turn back the Eagles’ offense, which forced constant movement with crisp passes and strong cuts in front of the goal.

“Our kids came out and did really well,” Haskell said. “We were worried that the conditions might even things out but we were on our game.”

Mt. Blue opened the third quarter with Davis and Matt Smith scoring from close range, but Mt. Ararat scored the last six goals. Mt. Ararat’s defensive back three of Robert Connerson, Zach Green and Brett Martin were extremely effective in igniting the Eagles’ transition game.

Mt. Blue keeper Tyler Poulin made nine saves.

Connor Reed had six saves for the Eagles.

Mt. Ararat, seventh in the Eastern Class A Heal points, remains in contention for one of the six playoffs slots. The Eagles have games against Lewiston and Brunswick next week.