Alyson Guerette watch what ended up being a goal during the Cards' 2-0 win at Stellos Stadium on Tuesday. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Something had to give on Tuesday evening at Stellos Stadium.

The Bishop Guertin High School girls soccer team went into their game vs. fellow unbeaten Portsmouth having not allowed a goal this season. And the Clippers had given up just two in their four games.

The thing is, the Cards weren’t in a giving mood, as they smothered the visitors defensively, handing them their first loss, 2-0.

“They were just getting on top of us way faster than what we’ve seen so far this year,” Portsmouth coach Mickey Smith said of the Cards, now 5-0. “The girls were not ready to play as fast as they were defending.”

And that was the plan, as the Cardinals dominated possession and got a goal in the first half off a perfectly placed Renee LeBlanc corner kick in the 22nd minute.

They upped the lead to 2-0 3:40 into the second half when Katie Boudreau converted a Brooke Paquette cross. Buoyed with the lead, the Cards were able to play their game.

“That’s how we play, we like to press,” Cards coach Winston Haughton said. “We thought that team would be very good on the ball as well, so we knew we had to come ready to press.”

Erin Morris needed to make just a couple of saves for the shutout, but they were big ones. She sprawled to her left to knock a ball away in the first half, and in the second got just high enough to tip Clipper Annie Parker’s free kick from 20 yards out in the 63rd minute.

“The sign of a good goaltender is to stay concentrated so when they’re needed they come in,” Haughton said.

Of course, Morris also had a good defense around her, led by Alsyon Guerette and Grace Maloney. “Those two have done a really good job,” Haughton said.

Getting the second goal was huge.

“The second goal was crucial, but they always say that 2-nil is a dangerous lead, so we have to play for every moment,” Haughton said. “We’re doing really well. Strong.”

Just ask the Clippers.

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