FARMINGTON, ME – Courtney Rague '11 (Old Orchard Beach, ME) scored two goals and assisted on the game-winner to help Saint Joseph's (7-3, 4-0 NAC) defeat conference-rival University of Maine-Farmington (8-3, 3-1 NAC) by a 3-2 margin Saturday afternoon.

The victory provides Saint Joseph's with sole possession of first place in the North Atlantic Conference with three league games remaining.

Rague kicked off the game scoring with her fourth goal of the year at the 19:14 mark and assisted on a Sarah Bartell '12 (Exeter, NH) tally, which proved to be the game-clincher, nearly 20 minutes later. Ace defender Alyssa Dunn '11 (Standish, ME) also scored in the Monks' victory.

Lily Barry scored for the Beavers nine minutes after Rague's marker to knot the game at one apiece with 6:24 left in the first half. Rague answered at the 30:12 mark with her second tally of the game to put her team back on top.

Bartell increased the SJC advantage to 3-1 just 3:19 into the second stanza and the goal proved to be an important one, as UMF junior Samantha Webster (Dixfield, ME) scored in the 61st minute off a penalty corner to cut the Monks' lead to 3-2.

The Beavers registered a couple of scoring chances late in the game, but both neither opportunity yielded a shot on net.

SJC keeper Meaghan Johnson '12 (Portland, ME/Cheverus) made one save in the victory, while counterpart Sarah Brown '11 (Windham, ME) recorded four stops for the hosts.

St. Joe's held an 8-7 advantage in shots, while Farmington posted a 9-6 lead in penalty corners in the conference contest.

With the win, Saint Joseph's improves to 7-20 in the history of the matchup with Farmington. The Monks have now posted victories in four of the last five meetings with the Beavers.

Both teams will resume play with contests against non-conference opponents early next week. St. Joe's will play at Salve Regina Monday at 1:00 PM, while UMF is set to play at UNE on Tuesday at 4:00 PM.