Lebanon - Whether it was for the ALS Cup or first place in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division, Lyman Memorial and St. Bernard have played in some meaningful and entertaining girls' soccer games over the last five years, developing one of the best rivalries in the ECC.

On Monday night, they added a different chapter in the rivalry, playing for the first time as non-divisional opponents.

Bri Casey scored on a pair of penalty kicks to give Lyman a 3-1 win over its former division foe and its seventh consecutive win after starting the season 0-3.

"It's a little different but you still want to put on a good show," Lyman coach Mark Morello said. "It's a team we've been battling twice for five years so I think it certainly means something for both sides."

While the two teams won't play each other again in the regular season, they could in the postseason because Lyman moved down to Class S at the same time they moved up to the ECC Medium Division.

"I told the kids, 'If they're not the favorite (in Class S), they're right up there with the favorites,'" St. Bernard coach Chris Ghiglia said.

After a scoreless first half, Casey got the Bulldogs (7-3) on the board first after St. Bernard was called for a penalty in the box with 24 minutes, 44 seconds left. St. Bernard keeper Tara Kowalski made the initial save, but couldn't find the ball momentarily afterward, allowing Casey to knock it in.

"Everyone froze a little bit and something just clicked: 'I have to go get it,'" she said. "I never look at the keeper when I take a PK. I just find a spot in the net and that's where I go."

Just over three minutes later, Kayla Paris flicked a ball over Lyman keeper Mary Labas' head as she came out to play a ball and the Saints (7-3) tied the game.

But less than a minute later, Lyman's Nicole Monce was taken down in the box and Casey converted another penalty.

"Both PK's were just total miscommunication between our backs and our goalkeeper," Ghiglia said. "It's kind of frustrating to get it to 1-1 and then make another silly mistake in the back. They were two very avoidable plays and you pay for your mistakes."

Lyman midfielder Corrie Hoyt added an insurance goal with 7:42 left.

The Bulldogs rely on speed and tenacity, giving up a lot of size to their opponents.

"We played in (Class) M for all those years, so we were kind of used to it," Morello said. "You just go out there and play. It doesn't matter. ... Then you really take a look and we have kind of a small team. But there's nothing small about their toughness. Nicole (Monce) might be the smallest varsity player in the whole league. They have heart and desire and the other kids feed off that."

After a lethargic first half, Lyman slowly built momentum before breaking through.

"They put you under so much pressure, you don't have time to process what's going on," Ghiglia said. "We weren't as sharp as we need to be. Little by little, you could see their athleticism take over."

o.poole@theday.com