Zach Johnson recorded a hat trick in the second half to lead Westbrook past Massabesic 5-0 Tuesday in Waterboro. With the win the Blue Blazes improve to 2-0 with both wins coming in the form of a shutout.

“Our aim is a shut out and obviously to try and find a way to put in a goal,” said Westbrook coach Tim Gillis. “I’ll take one-nothing, two-nothing and just keep marching.”

Things looked good for Westbrook early on as they spent most of the first half in the offensive end of the field. The Mustangs were able to hold the Blazes at bay for a while.

But halfway through the opening half, Brian Cooke passed to Travis Rand at midfield. Rand moved in to challenge Nate Desfosses one-on-one and slipped the ball into the net to give Westbrook a 1-0 lead.

Thanks to stellar play by the defense and goalkeeper Galen Perkins that one goal was all the Blazes would need.

“I told the guys at half time ‘don’t come in here looking to have five or six to nothing.’ They were mad at themselves because they didn’t,” said Gillis. “I said goals come from shots – you guys are creating shots.”

In the second half, Massabesic fought hard but the Blazes proved to be too much.

Johnson notched his first goal of the game after a pass from Rand, sneaking the ball into the lower corner of the net just past the diving Desfosses.

Just a few minutes later, Rand picked up his second assist by feeding Zach Souza for a crossing shot to make the score 3-0. The goal was Souza’s second this season.

Johnson notched his second goal when he stole the ball and hit a shot from the box.

For the final goal of the night, Zach Russell passed to Johnson right in front of the net, who kicked it into the twine for his third goal of the game and fourth of the season.

The Mustangs hung with the Blazes all night long but were unable to get anything past Westbrook goalie Perkins. Desfosses turned away 16 shots. Sweeper Ethan Lamb was solid on the defensive side of the ball.

“That was a very tough team, that was not a 5-0 game,” said Gillis. “That was more like a one- or two-nothing game.”

Westbrook will travel to Windham to renew acquaintances with the Eagles and try to improve to 3-0.

“That will certainly be a nice barn burner,” says Gillis. “It’s a classic rivalry and we’ve had some heated contests over the years.”